Plastic surgery blog posts and news

3 Truly Odd Plastic Surgery Requests

1. Help me get past casino security

Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Fleming was visited by a professional gambler wanting plastic surgery. "He wanted to totally change his physical appearance because he was being monitored in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos." Dr. Fleming refused to do the surgery for obvious reasons.

2.  I want to look good -- dead

Kamran Jafri, MD, a New York City Facial Plastic Surgeon, was asked to do a facelift by a terminally ill cancer patient so "she would look her best for her funeral."  He declined to do the surgery. "I did advise her on some skin care regimens that would improve some of the blemishes that had occurred on her face during her treatment," said Jafri.

In Kentucky, a 78 year old woman contacted plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Waldman and asked for a nose job. "I asked her why she had waited so long and she replied that she had always wanted a different nose and now that she was getting up in years she wanted to make sure she looked good in her coffin," explains Dr. Waldman.

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6 Things Your Doctor Wishes You Wouldn't Do

Doctors are here to tell you what to do -- but there's also plenty they really, really wish you wouldn't do. Here's just a few of the things they'd prefer if you refrained from -- because we know you want to be the best patient possible, too.

1. Run to the mirror right after a procedure expecting an INSTANT! RESULT! 

So says Dr. Jonathan Hoenig, an oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. Almost every cosmetic procedure takes a little while -- or longer -- to show it's full effect, and if someone promises you "instant results," you might want to think twice about how effective the procedure will end up being. So even if you look a little bruised or sensitive immediately post-procedure, don't worry -- you won't look like that forever.

2. Utter the words, "But that's not what they said on 'Oprah.'"

No disrespect to Ms. Winfrey, but several doctors we talked to complained that the Queen of All Media's often mesmerizing air of authority can make patients think that Oprah's the one with the MD, not them. And, yes, she does have good doctors making intelligent judgments on her show, but keep in mind what works for some might well not work for you. (The same goes for infomercials.)

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Will Your Botaxes Pay For Health Care Reform?

To fund new health-care initiatives, rumors abound that US Senators are considering a tax on elective cosmetic procedures like Botox. Call them the "Botaxes" or "vanity taxes," as these revenue generators were called in the past.

Attempts by state legislatures to tax cosmetic surgery to subsidize health programs and close budget gaps are relatively few. In 2004, New Jersey passed the first Botax law; the state levied a 6% tax on cosmetic procedures including hair transplants, chemical peels and liposuction. Plastic surgeons in New Jersey complained bitterly about the taxes, namely because they believed that patients would simply take their business to another tax-free state and that revenue projections for the tax were overstated.

In fighting against the NJ tax, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) worked to dispel the perception that cosmetic surgery is for the wealthy, and thus a fair purchase to tax. The organization's surveys found that most cosmetic procedures are paid for out-of-pocket by middle-income-earning, working women.

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RealBuzz: Could Plastic Surgery Help Me Quit Smoking?

Yes, some people still smoke cigarettes -- but plastic surgery just might be one way to help them dump the habit for good. In one of the livelier and most thought-provoking Q&As on RealSelf, our doctors help answer the question,

How do plastic surgeons feel about operating on patients who smoke?

RealSelf's MDs, like Bellevue, Washington's Dr. Richard P. Rand, say it's "imperative" prospective patients kick the habit "a month after and a month before" they go under the knife. Dr. Athleo Louis Cambre in L.A. explains that for facelifts, breast lifts and reductions, and tummy tucks, smoking causes "constriction of ... small blood vessels [under the skin] as well as reduced oxygen carrying capacity," which can have "catastrophic" effects because of the "diminished blood flow."

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Visualize Your Before-and-after Cosmetic Surgery In 3-D

Plastic surgery trade shows are an eclectic mix of fascinating technology, mundane text books, and unusual items to decorate the doctor's office like brass figurines (that make the physician look....well, a bit intimidating!).

The main theme for these events is to sell doctors on the latest products and services that attract new patients. 

And given the consumer demand for plastic surgery before and after photos, it's fitting that the show floors have a number of companies offering “computer morphing” to depict before and after results.

Visualize your "after" cosmetic procedure

Morphing software has evolved to what are now highly realistic looking "afters" of yourself in 3-D such as a hump-free nose, smaller breasts, or higher cheekbones. Just like an architect can "fly" you through their design for your home addition, the surgeon now has the means to show you a highly realistic looking perspective of your body, post-surgery.

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13 Cosmetic Surgery Myths

Guest post on cosmetic surgery myths by Dallas board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Rod Rohrich and Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel.  Dr. Rohrich is the Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Kenkel is Professor and Vice Chairman. 

1. Myth: The “new” Botox – Dysport – is better and lasts longer.

Reality: The efficacy of Botox and Dysport is about the same. Both injectables are essentially purified forms of botulinum toxin A. Dysport may act somewhat faster and is expected to be about 15 percent cheaper. Dysport is currently being used in Europe and is anticipated to launch soon in the U.S. with FDA approval.

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5 Cosmetic Surgery Consultation Tips: Success Is No Secret

Guest post about cosmetic surgery consultations by board-certified plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD, the Facility Director and Surgeon at the Singer Surgery Centre in La Jolla, California.  Dr. Singer has published over 150 publications or national presentations at national and international surgical meetings. He is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and a prior president of the organization.

I’m often asked, “What is the secret to a good consultation with your doctor?”

My response: there is no secret.

Common sense and being a very, very cautious consumer are the elements that will help make your consultation a success.

1. Recognize that you get what you pay for

Before the consultation, make sure that the physician is fully trained , ideally a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Check with the State Medical Board Web site about the physician’s license status.

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Quick Fix: 25% Of Women Open To Cosmetic Surgery

The Associated Press recently released a poll regarding women's perceptions of their bodies and health in general. The survey found that approximately 50% of women in America have negative feelings about both their weight and their figure. 

One of the more interesting results from the survey found that 25% have considered getting some type of cosmetic surgery, with a tummy tuck as the most desired treatment. Breast augmentations come in second.

Women appear to be looking for a quick fix instead of committing to long-term changes.

• Just 8% of women eat the recommend number of fruits and vegetables daily

• Women only spend 20 minutes on any type of daily exercise, while most spend around 27 minutes on their beauty regime

•  Exercise-related purchase and services amount to just $17 a month for most women, while they are spending upwards to $50 on beauty items and services.

But is cosmetic surgery worth it?

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How To Marry A Plastic Surgeon

First you have to meet one, perhaps on an internet dating service, at the local gym, or in the vegetable section of your organic food store. Or, you can examine your face or body and decide to undergo elective cosmetic surgery; the process of engaging a plastic surgeon is very similar to that of matrimonial commitment.

Or, as I tell my patients, a trip through an operating room door is like a walk down the aisle.

While patients can stumble unto a good plastic surgeon and might end up with a good result by luck, it is not a very reliable formula for a successful mature relationship between doctor and patient in as serious an endeavor as cosmetic surgery. Some people will fall in love at first sight and head straight for the altar that same night - but not many, and not if they are sane.

Yet patients routinely sign up for surgery after one consultation, maybe spending as little as ten minutes with the person with a sharp scalpel in his hands before handing a deposit over to a surgical consultant who is not even a doctor and who is often referred to as the ‘closer’ for obvious reasons. If the doctor or ‘closer’ seems too eager to ask for a deposit on the first visit, think of it as a person requesting sex on the first date, and slow down. Better yet, run out of the office.

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10 Must-haves For A Comfortable Cosmetic Surgery Recovery

As a personal concierge in New York City, I’ve helped numerous men and women recover from plastic surgery in their own homes and in hotel rooms. Through these experiences, I've discovered there are many items you need  to make your recuperation as easy as possible.  The 10 must haves in your home are:

1. Medication from your doctor. Your doctor will almost certainly prescribe you pain medication along with an antibiotic. Be sure to have your prescriptions filled a few days ahead of time. Sometimes pharmacies have to order medication and you don’t want to be running around town the day of your surgery trying to get your prescription filled. You’ll have enough on your mind already.

2. Surgical gloves. If you are having a surgery, such as a tummy tuck or facelift, that requires drains that will need to be emptied, your caretaker will appreciate it if you have these on hand. Gloves are also useful should there be any unexpected bleeding or vomiting from an interaction with the anesthesia. Extra gauze is also a good idea.

3. Reusable gel ice packs. With smooth edges, gel ice packs are gentler on bruised or sore body parts than regular ice. Plus the packs don’t drip.

4. Neosporin and Aquaphor. It’s not uncommon to incur minor scrapes after surgery. Neosporin will ensure these don’t get infected. Aquaphor is a thick, soothing moisturizer, especially for lips.

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