Plastic Surgery Blog

Ever find yourself confused by all the conflicting information regarding plastic surgery: Who’s getting it done, what are the risks, the benefits, etc.? If so, you’re not alone. At A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource, we’re dedicated to setting the record straight. We’ve looked into some of the common myths and information circulating in the media concerning plastic surgery to determine what it is consumers need to know. The following are six things you should know about plastic surgery:

1. While the terms plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used interchangeably, they are in fact not synonymous. Plastic surgery is the broad term encompassing both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery refers to those procedures strictly intended to enhance appearance, whereas reconstructive surgery refers to procedures primarily performed to repair a defect or improve function.
2. Not all surgeons are created equal. Just because someone sells themselves as qualified doesn’t necessarily mean they are. Because plastic surgery can be a life-altering event, you want to make sure you are in the best hands possible. When shopping for a plastic surgeon, it is important to choose one who has the proper credentials, including certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Never choose a plastic surgeon solely on cost!!!
3. Plastic surgery is not just for the rich and famous. With the stigma associated with plastic surgery all but gone and the cost becoming ever more affordable, many people – regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status – are jumping on the plastic surgery bandwagon. In fact, most plastic surgeons offer financing plans for patients who can’t afford to pay all at once.
4. The latest plastic surgery techniques are not necessarily the best or safest available. To determine the safety and efficacy of new techniques, studies must be conducted over a period of time. The more thoroughly a technique is researched, the more knowledge is gained about its risks and benefits. An experienced plastic surgeon understands this and will weigh the risks and benefits of a particular technique on an individual basis.
5. Liposuction will not help you lose weight. A common misconception is that liposuction can be used to help with weight loss. However, liposuction is a technique used to target stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond well to diet and exercise. Any trustworthy plastic surgeon will advise the patient to lose as much excess weight as possible prior to liposuction surgery.
6. Complications sometimes happen. To reduce the risk of complication, you should always choose a properly trained and skilled plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure you are considering. It is also important to always follow your surgeon’s instructions for proper pre- and post-operative care.

Remember: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are lots of myths and common misconceptions surrounding plastic surgery and nothing is more important than having your facts straight before making a decision. A good place to start for reliable, up-to-date information is our website!

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The smile is one of our most powerful, and perhaps most telling, features. Like wrinkles, the appearance of our teeth can reveal our age – whether we like it or not. So, why in the fight against aging are our teeth the most overlooked feature? While it may not be possible to halt the aging process, there are a number of solutions that can help us to minimize some of the telltale signs of aging and restore a more youthful smile.

1. Chew with care – Ever chipped a tooth on a piece of ice? Popcorn kernel? Olive pit? These are just some of the foods that can cause a chipped or fractured tooth. Nowadays, cosmetic dentistry can repair a broken tooth with relative ease. However, with a little caution, you may be able to avoid the pain and inconvenience of broken tooth altogether.
2. Avoid grinding your teeth – Teeth grinding is a fairly common problem that most frequently occurs during sleep. Grinding has various negative health effects, including head and neck aches. But it also negatively affects the smile. Grinding wears down the enamel and can even lead to facial collapse, which is characterized by deep wrinkles around the nose and chin. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be remedied with a special bite guard, which may not stop the grinding but does prevent further damage.
3. Nix harsh habits – Always use a soft toothbrush since hard ones can wear down the enamel, exposing the softer layer of dentin. Brushing this improperly can cause severe damage to the look and health of your teeth. Dentists recommend using a slow, circular motion when brushing the teeth.
4. Replace faulty fillings – Improperly fitted fillings may leave room for bacteria to buildup, which leads to decay. They may also make the tooth more susceptible to fracture, especially if the tooth is already cracked.
5. Steer clear of acidic foods – Lemons, carbonated beverages, and a whole host of other foods and beverages contain acids that can cause severe erosion of the protective layer of enamel. A good rule of thumb is to always chase acidic foods and drinks with a glass of water. This will help to wash away potentially harmful residue.

Your smile is an asset. Remember to take care of it, so it doesn’t become a liability.

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This has been an exciting week in plastic and cosmetic surgery with the recent conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in San Francisco. Papers were presented on topics ranging from lip augmentation to plastic surgery and mental health. If you haven’t had time to check out this week’s news, here’s what you missed:

Cosmetic Surgery Linked to Improved Mental Health

Approximately one third of cosmetic surgery patients taking antidepressants at the time of their procedure discontinue use of these drugs after the operation, according to the findings of a recent study.

Lip Augmentation: Not All Fillers Are Created Equal

Lip augmentation and rejuvenation procedures are in high demand, according the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. More and more people are seeking treatment with injectable fillers, not just to achieve plumper, sexier lips but also to combat aging around the mouth.

Study Finds Breast Reconstruction For Obese Patients Not As Safe

Significantly obese women may face an increased risk of complications during breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, according to the results of a new retrospective study, indicating that patients should consider delaying surgery until they achieve a lower body weight through diet and exercise.

Blasting Fat Without Surgery

While conventional liposuction procedures are one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the country, more and more patients are opting to undergo less invasive methods that carry fewer risks and little recovery time. Two non-surgical liposuction alternatives, which use laser and ultrasound technology are currently involved in FDA trials and may soon be available for patients who want to blast fat without surgery.

Study: Lasers Effective For Treating Children’s Birthmarks

Approximately three to five percent of all babies are born with port wine stains – red birthmarks that affect the neck and face. Port wine stains can have severe psychological effects on young children, but until now, early treatment was discouraged.

To stay current on the latest news in plastic and cosmetic surgery, be sure to check our website regularly!

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What once was Hot, now is Not

Beauty is a beast of the most uncatchable nature. What is hot today, is in the 50% off bin tomorrow. Everyone knows this to be true, but why?

Why would something as black and white as ideals of beauty change?

First off, does beauty change? The answer is a resounding YES, and not in as trivial a sense as “orange is the new pink” or anything that mundane. Beauty has been completely reversed since the 16th century. Back then the ideal beauty would adhere to a more rotund figure (think complete career reversal for Kirstie Alley). For proof one needs only to look at the art of the time, which was largely (horrible pun intended) dominated by an Italian painter named Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, better known as Sandro Botticelli. Perhaps the best example of which is The Birth of Venus, depicting Venus (the goddess of sexuality and love) as a plumply proportionate person. Hard for our gym obsessed culture to imagine, but a beer belly was considered more fashionable than a prada bag.

For a modern day example of change in the ideals of beauty, we look to the most personal of fashion statements the Tattoo. In the late 90’s muscle bound men caught “barb wire” fever (oh and Playmate Pamela Anderson, great movie.) Perhaps a more recent example is the “tramp stamp”, a term referring to the popular placement of a tatoo just above a women’s hindside. Both of these once sought after tatoos are being removed in just as big a rush as they appeared.

But the question still stands, why the polar change? I suggest that beauty has a direct correlation to humanity and our generational struggles. In the 16th century alittle more shake to your milkshake was an indication of wealth and health, conveying the fact that you had the means by which to overindulge. Today, the exact opposite is an indication of wealth and health.

Throughout history the most constant ideal of beauty can best be summed up in this memorable quote “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, especially when the discerning eye of personal beauty is your own.

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Looking for the fountain of youth – that legendary source of restoration and immortality? Myths surrounding the much sought after fountain place it in various locations across the globe, from Asia to the Americas. While it’s doubtful that such a fountain actually exists, all is not lost. Even if we are condemned to ultimately lose the battle against aging, it doesn’t mean we can’t fight. Consider these anti-aging theories, which may provide the key to slowing the aging process:

Detoxification – This theory focuses on ridding the body of harmful toxins that lead to fatigue, cancer, heart disease, poor skin, and more. In order to maintain a healthy equilibrium, it is important to avoid foods that contain large amounts of sugar, trans fats, and chemicals like mercury.

Inflammation – Closely linked to detoxification, the inflammation theory of anti-aging centers on eliminating the causes of low-grade inflammation, which include poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, excessive sun exposure and other sources of radiation. Low-grade inflammation has been associated with wrinkles, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and more.

Antioxidants – This anti-aging theory suggests that antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, E and others help to protect cells from free-radical damage. Free-radicals destroy cells and the damage increases with age.

Hormones – Increasing the levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other naturally occurring chemicals that decrease as we age may help to slow the aging process. However, hormone replacement therapy, which requires physician supervision, is currently a controversial approach to anti-aging.

Lifestyle – Most of us hate to hear it, but the one tried and true method of slowing the aging process involves an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes proper diet and exercise, adequate sleep, and minimal stress.

And when all else fails, there’s always plastic surgery – the modern day fountain of youth!

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