Elsevier Releases Illustrated “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery” Book

Elsevier is the world’s leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information, and has recently produced a comprehensive book about aesthetic plastic surgery. The book is full of illustrations and has been created by international contributors to provide a broad view and up-to-date perspective on aesthetic surgery procedures and the state of the industry.

In addition to outlining what the various outcomes of cosmetic surgery procedures are, the text lays out various techniques and innovative tools used to perform advanced procedures including the MACS lift,  endoscopic facelifts, cohesive gel breast augmentation, lipoabdominoplasty and suture suspension threadlifts amongst others. The book also covers, in detail, the procedure and outcomes of Sculptra, Restylane, Botox and Radiesse.

According to Sue Hodgson, Publishing Director for Global Medicine at Elsevier, “All of the major contemporary procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery are covered and described by the experts in the field. It is a resource no surgeon who performs aesthetic procedures can afford to be without.”

The text has been edited and reviewed by several notable plastic surgeons and professors of plastic surgery. The three editors of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery book are Sherrell Aston, MD, FACS, the past president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York; Douglas Steinbrech, MD, FACS, the Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine and an attending surgeon at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York, and Jennifer l. Walden, MD, FACS, an attending surgeon and Program Director in Plastic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York.

The book is designed to serve as a practical guide for both beginner and experienced surgeons, and contains the latest information on a wide range of procedures and techniques.

New York Plastic Surgeon Reduces Pain of Rhinoplasty with New Technique

Rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a ‘nose job’, typically involves the removal of nasal tissues and resculpting of the nose to create a more aesthetically pleasing profile. However, rhinoplasty is often associated with post-operative pain, and this pain is a common fear of rhinoplasty patients. Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj, Director of the Aesthetic Institute of New York and New Jersey, has recently unveiled an innovative rhinoplasty procedure that does not use traditional packing methods and results in less pain.

Dr. Slupchynskyj uses a state-of-the-art plant-based biopolymer material which is easily absorbed into the tissue and helps with the clotting process.  He states that, “rhinoplasty can be performed with minimal or no bleeding post-operatively, therefore with a majority of my patients, I don’t use nasal packing…if it is necessary, I use a dissolvable packing which is much more comfortable for the patient and disintegrates over 24 hours.”

Rhinoplasty procedures continue to be among the most sought-after cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures for men and women alike, but many people refrain from undergoing this procedure because of the pain associated with it. The procedure typically takes several hours and requires several days  and weeks of downtime. Only a few surgeons use advanced techniques that can minimize pain and irritation associated with the packing process, and this may provide more options for patients.

Dr. Slupchynskyj is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngolgoy, and has advanced training for the head, neck and face. He has been named one of the Top Surgeons of 2009 by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, and has created a number of surgical alternatives including the “S” implant that helps create an attractive profile for African American patients.

More information about the latest rhinoplasty procedures and developments can be found here.

Medical Tourism Company Reports 300% Increase in Holiday Season Bookings

As the economy continues to improve at a steady rate, medical tourism companies are noticing a gradual increase in demand for overseas cosmetic surgery. Economists are pointing out that the recession economy will change course soon, and this is encouraging more bookings of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures.

According to Cosmetic Harmony, one of the world’s most recognized medical tourism companies, the holiday season and an improved economic outlook have triggered a “huge surge” in demand for procedures.

Cosmetic Harmony saw a 300% increase in reservations since last holiday season, pointing out that more people who held back during the credit crunch are now in a good position to pay for a relatively pricey vacation and get the cosmetic surgery they want.

Cosmetic Harmony is a medical tourism company based in Bogota, Colombia that offers cheap cosmetic surgery packages with procedures performed in a world-class facility. Anthony Giudice, Vice-President of Sales of Cosmetic Harmony indicates that “not only is our company experiencing a boom in the market, but Colombia as a country is also growing. The market is showing positive signs and there will be a progress in all the activities in Colombia. We are very proud of our surgeons who are ready to work hard this holiday season. It is due to their quality work that satisfies our patients and we are experiencing this surge in business.” (Source: Cosmetic Harmony Press Release)

Medical tourism experienced a significant boom in the early 2000s as surgeons and companies overseas offered attractively priced packages and treatment options for patients on every budget. Tummy tucks, breast augmentation procedures, body contouring and non-invasive procedures typically cost between 25% to 70% off the average price of procedures in the United States and the United Kingdom, and destinations including Argentina, Colombia, Bangkok and Thailand all offer significantly reduced pricing on several highly sought-after procedures.

Surgeon Introduces iSurgeon Apple iPhone Application

If you’ve ever wondered what you might look like if you went ahead with plastic surgery, there is now an iPhone application available to help you find out. The iSurgeon application has been designed and launched by Dr. Michael Salzhauer, the author of “My Beautiful Mommy”, a book that stirred up controversy last year because it was designed to teach children ‘deal’ with their mother’s plastic surgery.

The iSurgeon iPhone App allows patients to alter images of themselves to find out what they might look like after undergon plastic surgery. They can pick out different size implants, lip augmentation options, and see what they might look like after a tummy tuck from the convenience of their iPhone. The app will be free for the first month of its release, and can then be downloaded for a fee.

According to Dr. Salzhauer, “iSurgeon serves a dual purpose, providing those interested in cosmetic surgery treatments with a clear visual of what they would look like post-surgery, while also providing a fun entertaining game tool.” (Source: Reuters.com)

The app is capable of rendering realistic images based on a basic uploaded image, and the digital version can be stored on the iPhone for further review by the patient and their plastic surgeons

Another similar app has been developed by Dr. David Shafer of New York. The Shafer Plastic Surgery App was launched in October 2009, also for the Apple iPhone. This app features over 1,000 questions and answers about different cosmetic surgery procedures and is designed primarily for patients looking for more information about different procedures. Patients can send questions directly to the plastic surgeon from their mobile device. The Shafer Plastic Surgery App costs $2.99 for its full version.

More information about common questions and answers related to plastic and cosmetic procedures can be found here.

(Photo courtesy of Apple.com)

Study Says Females Show Signs of Aging Around the eyes Before Men

The signs of aging tend to creep up on men and women at different rates, and many of the effects of aging are largely dependent on skin type, genetics and the person’s lifestyle.

A recent study now suggests that females tend to show the signs of aging around their eyes before men. According to UK facelift surgeon Norman Waterhouse, men and women age in different ways and a woman’s face tends to shift from oval to square as she gets older. Researchers at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California agree that there are several distinct aging patterns associated with females when compared to men.

Researchers at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California report that by the age of 30, women’s faces tend to look much like their mothers, and that daughters do tend to undergo the same aging process as their mothers. Many women show signs of aging around the eyes – everything from crinkles at the corners of the eyes (crows feet) to bags developing directly under the eyes. These signs are often more prevalent than the signs of aging in men of the same age.

Some of today’s leading corrective procedures for these effects of aging include the application of dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Hydrelle and Restylane, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage around the face, and Threadlifts that can help to tighten the loose and sagging skin around the eyes. Other popular anti-aging procedures include facelift surgery, laser skin resurfacing and blepharoplasty (eyelid rejuvenation surgery).

Women who begin to lose weight as they age are also more prone to developing loose and sagging skin around their eyes, jawline and neck area. However, a series of skin tightening treatments and facelift surgery can help to correct these effects.

(Source: PrivateHealh.co.uk)

Breast Augmentation a Hot Topic at ASPS Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons touched upon several hot topics related to emerging technologies, techniques and surgery options for plastic and cosmetic surgery patients around the globe. A significant portion of the event was dedicated to the controversial techniques and emerging technologies used for breast augmentation, breast reconstruction and breast enhancement procedures.

The 2009 Plastic Surgery meeting touched upon several issues such as the implications of fat injections, and what the options were for women who had to have their breasts removed because of breast cancer or an accident. Dr. Robert Grant, a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in New York City reported that there is definitely a need for more scientific research regarding the effects of fat transfer, and that this procedure does show some positive benefits for cosmetic surgery patients.

Fat transfer can be used to correct deformities of the breast, create more symmetry in the chest area and may also be used as part of a breast augmentation procedure.

Other key issues addressed at the ASPS annual meeting included stem cells that can be used for reconstructive procedures.  Stem cell research has been conducted for breast reconstruction procedures, but also for correcting scars, and for creating new tissue after an injury.

The ASPS meeting is the biggest plastic surgery meeting in the world, and gives surgeons the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry and includes lectures, workshops and presentations.

Breast augmentation continues to be among the most sought-after procedures for women of all ages in the United States, and current techniques and procedures include more than breast implants and fat transfer procedures. Surgeons have found ways to recontour and shape the breasts without surgery, and have also been testing implant-based breast reconstruction procedures using products such as AlloDerm®.

More Women Over 50 Seeking Plastic Surgery

While cosmetic and plastic surgery is often a top priority for men and women undergoing  a midlife crisis or other major life changes, industry experts are reporting an increase in demand for the plastic makeover in women over 50 years of age.

Cosmetic surgery group Mybreast based in London reports that they have seen a 20 percent increase in breast surgery patients from 50 to 65 years of age in 2009. According to Norman Waterhouse of Mybreast, “many women with large breasts have had discomfort for many years and by the time they reach 50 and over, they decide to do something about it.” (Source: Sys-Con.com)

Breast surgery typically has a high satisfaction rage among patients over 50 years of age, and is becoming more acceptable by many women in their 50s and 60s who want to improve their appearance.

Mybreast is an organization that uses specialized breast augmentation techniques to perform both surgical and non-surgical breast enhancement procedures. In addition to breast implants, the surgeons use breast reshaping techniques such as mastopexy and liposuction that help to create an attractive silhouette.

Breast augmentation continues to be one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures for women of all ages, and those who want to correct droopy or sagging breasts have several options for improving their silhouette. Mastoxepy, breast recontouring and skin tightening procedures can all help to create a more youthful appearance.

Stephen Hamilton, a consultant plastic surgeon with Mybreast, reports that there is much greater acceptance among women in the 50 to 60 year age group to undergo surgery, and there is little to no stigma attached. In addition to breast augmentation, popular anti aging procedures and surgery option for this age group include laser skin resurfacing, facelift surgery, liposuction, Endermologie and Botox injections.  More information about popular procedures can be found here.

Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Can Improve Quality of Life

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a popular procedure for men and women who have droopy eyelids and sagging skin around the eyes and upper facial area. This procedure involves the removal of excess fatty tissues around the eyes and a lifting of the upper lids to create a more youthful appearance.

A recent paper presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in San Diego reported that in a survey conducted on adult patients who underwent cosmetic eyelid surgery, most participants said that they felt better about their appearance, and also noticed an improvement in self-esteem.

Blepharoplasty is performed by removing excess skin, muscle and fat around the tissues, and also lifts sagging skin in a similar ways as facelift surgery. The procedure can help to improve the overall appearance of the eyelids and eyebrows, and also restore lost elasticity from the aging process.

The results of the questionnaire showed that blepharoplasty had a positive impact on the quality of life for patients in the study, and that the patients received the same quality of life benefits they hoped to achieve with plastic surgery. The survey did not include patients who were undergoing surgery for non-cosmetic indications, or those who were having more than the cosmetic eyelid surgery procedure performed.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. In addition to correcting fine lines and wrinkles developing around the eye area, the procedure can help to improve the person’s vision and restore peripheral vision that may have been lost because of the sagging skin over the eyelids. If the procedure is performed to restore vision, the surgery may be partially or fully covered by an insurance company.

More information about eyelid surgery can be found here.

“Miss Plastic Pageant” in Hungary Raises Eyebrows

Hungary recently served as the host country for the “Miss Plastic” pageant, a contest that encouraged women who had undergone plastic surgery to show off their best assets on the runway and take home prizes based on the judges’ response. This is the first pageant of its kind to encourage cosmetic surgery as a qualifying criteria for the event, and has sparked criticism and controversy around the world.

According to a recent report in Newser.com, plastic surgery has earned a bad reputation in Hungary, but this pageant may have helped some people become more accepting about procedures. The Huffington Post reports that contestants showed off their face lifts, nose jobs and breast implants in a catwalk style competition.

The primary goal of show organizers was to show how cosmetic and plastic surgery could serve as an enhancement to someone’s lifestyle, and didn’t necessarily have to be about going to an extreme. Plastic surgeon Dr. Tamas Rozsos, a well-known plastic surgeon in Europe, explains that plastic surgery is more about restoring harmony and eliminating asymmetries in the body than it is about creating an entirely new silhouette. He says that many people who have not been accepting of plastic surgery have only seen extreme procedures.

The three-part pageant focused exclusively on the women’s physical attributes – contestants were not required to deliver a speech or share a special skill or talent. The Miss Plastic Pageant was won by a 22-year old hostess Reka Urban. She won an apartment in Budapest, and the first runner up took home a new car. The plastic surgeon that performed the procedure on each winner also received an award and formal recognition for their work at the awards ceremony.

There is no indication whether the Miss Plastic Pageant will become an annual event, but the contest attracted a wide audience and helped position cosmetic and plastic surgery in a more positive light.

Rhinoplasty and Botox Most Sought-After Procedures in India

Typical Western traits such as a pointed nose, flat abs and large breasts are among the most-coveted characteristics in countries like India, and plastic surgeons overseas are finding that the demand for rhinoplasty and Botox is especially high in the urban cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More men and women from the upper middle class group are turning to plastic surgery to improve their chances of a good marriage, increasing self-confidence and securing a steady job.

There are currently no registries or organizations that track the number of cosmetic and non-surgical procedures performed in India, and but consultants and medical professionals at the major hospitals are able to track the number of procedures performed at their clinic.

According to a recent press release from New Delhi, Dr. Rakesh Khazanchi, a senior consultant in the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Sir Gangaram Hospital has found that demand for rhinoplasty, liposuction and abdominoplasty has increased approximately 150 percent in the last 5 years in India.

In addition to the surgical procedures, Dr. Khazanchi has found that many men and women in India are also turning to non-surgical procedures such as Botox and microdermabrasion to appear younger. Botox helps to eliminate deeper wrinkles and lines on the forehead and around the eyes, while microdermabrasion helps eliminate or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, nose and jaw areas. Microdermabrasion also helps the skin look healthier by removing the dry, dead layer of skin cells and increasing collagen production deep under the skin’s surface.

India is among several countries in the Far East that are growing in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery, and many citizens are opting for procedures that give them a more ‘Westernized’ appearance. According to Dr. Rajeev B. Ahuja, Chairman of IPRAS 2009 (15^th World Congress of International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), “Peer pressure and advertisements promising ‘picture perfect’ looks post –surgery, drive most men and women to undergo cosmetic surgeries.” (Source: IndiaPRWire.com)