Blog Archives
Posted on July 25th, 2011 in
Body Surgery, Plastic Surgeon
Some shoppers who choose medical tourism for plastic surgery rather than staying in the US find it may not be the best deal, according to the
Huffington Post.
Some savvy internet users may be able to find what seems like a low rate for a plastic surgery procedure abroad when compared to prices domestically, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Yaremchuk. Still, there are
problems with medical tourism, he says. Even if the price is cheaper, the old adage is true, he says—you get what you pay for.
While there are, of course, exceptions to the rule, going to a cheaper plastic surgeon will not always yield the results you would want. Often with a surgeon who charges less and is able to practice overseas, the training, expertise and experience are not what you would get with a board certified plastic surgeon.
While Yaremchuk admits only anecdotal evidence is available about patients who travel overseas for plastic surgery, it’s not all good news. In his own experience over the a three month period, Yaremchuk saw patients who had complications from previous plastic surgery procedures. Almost universally, he says, the patients did not know the qualifications of their original surgeon or of the facility where the procedure took place. This a one of the key problems with medical tourism—lax enforcement of qualifications.
In one recent study, over a two year period, eight American patients were infected with Mycobacterium abscessus after undergoing liposuction procedures in a Dominican Republic clinic. Conversely, over a five year period at a New York hospital, more than 230,000 patients underwent surgeries and no cases of the bacteria were reported.
While still just anecdotal evidence, these cases do present some of the problems with medical tourism being selected without proper research.
In order to make sure you are choosing the best practitioner for your
plastic surgery, Yaremchuk offers a quick tip—make sure your
plastic surgeon is certified by the ASPS or ASAPS. With proper training, experience and credentials, you can be assured you will come out of the surgery healthy and having met your aesthetic goals.
Posted on July 21st, 2011 in
Skin Care, Wrinkle Treatment
Those who apply sunscreen regularly when in the sun to prevent sunburns may not quite be doing enough to protect their skin, according to a new study by the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Sunscreen, the study found, was the most popular form of sun protection chosen by the 3,000 Caucasian adults who participated. In fact, 30% of those studied said they applied sunscreen when out in the sun for longer than one hour. Seeking shade was the second most popular form of sun protection with protective clothing options also being listed.
Startling is the fact that those who said they regularly apply sunscreen were at a 23% higher risk of sunburns, compared to those who rarely apply it.
While avoiding the sun, especially midday when its rays are strongest, is the best way to
prevent sunburns and sun damage, applying the appropriate amount of sunscreen is key. For each body part that is exposed, like the legs or arms, a golf ball sized glob of sunscreen should be applied. This should be done half an hour before going outside so it has a chance to absorb and then be reapplied at least every two hours. If you get wet, sunscreen should be applied every 60 to 90 minutes.
People who say they regularly apply sunscreen are often likely not applying it correctly or often enough. Sunscreen should absorb at least 2mm for every square centimeter of skin. When reapplying, those who participated in a Brazilian study only used a quarter of what would be necessary for protection.
Though appropriate sunscreen application can help to prevent sunburn, other forms of protection, though less popular, may guard your skin better. Staying in the shade on sunny days is a prime form of protection from sun damage and burns, as is wearing a hat and clothing that does not leave your legs or arms exposed.
Proper sun protection, whether it comes in the form of correct sunscreen application or avoiding the sun’s rays in another manner, is important. Not only can it guard against the signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots, but it can prevent sunburns. Though sunburns may be uncomfortable for several days, in the long-term, they can increase your risk for skin cancer.
To learn more about
products to protect your skin and prevent sunburns, as well as
non-surgical treatments to correct sun damage, we encourage you to contact us or
join our mailing list.
Posted on July 11th, 2011 in
Body Surgery, Plastic Surgeon
Though everyone has a bellybutton, they may appear dissimilar and many plastic surgeons can work to change the look of a bellybutton, either on its own or as part of a
body contouring surgery.
The bellybutton, or navel, is created by the shedding of the umbilical cord following birth. The tube that once supplied all of our nutrients within the womb falls away as babies are forced to rely on their own mouths, stomachs, and lungs. As Cari Nierenberg discusses on
The Body Odd, the bellybutton is one of our least understood body parts, both strange and commonplace.
Cosmetic surgery for bellybuttons is rare, but it does occur.
The bellybutton can change shape after weight gain or pregnancy, which may cause some people to be dissatisfied with its new shape or size. Others will pursue the surgery following their lifelong dislike of their “outies.” While surgery to convert an innie to an outie is an option, Dr. Curtis Cetrulo, Jr. says that he has never encountered someone who wanted that performed. Bellybutton reconstruction surgery requires local anesthesia and has few side effects beyond some soreness and swelling.
However, the majority of umbilicoplasties will typically occur in conjunction with another surgery, such as a
tummy tuck or
umbilical hernia repair. The bellybutton often has a unique role in tummy tuck surgery:
- The bellybutton must be isolated from the surrounding skin, so that it stands on a stalk of tissue.
- Excess skin is removed and a new hole is created for the bellybutton.
- The bellybutton is incorporated into the hole and retains its natural position on the abdomen.
The surgeon may perform some cosmetic adjustments to the bellybutton during the surgery, based on the patient’s desires.
Posted on July 4th, 2011 in
Breast Surgery
Though large breasts implants may have previously been the norm, more patients are electing to downsize their augmented breasts.
Celebrities who have downsized in recent years allegedly include Denise Richards, Victoria Beckham, Drew Barrymore, and Jordan. Taken together they represent a trend toward breast implants being smaller than was previously fashionable.
More everyday women are hopping on the bandwagon, tired of having
breast implants that are too large for their bodies, according to CBS News health reporter
Stephanie Stahl.
What are some reasons that women might be downsizing their breast implants?
- They may not want or need extra attention toward their breasts.
- Misalignment and capsular contracture made the implants look unnatural.
- Women want to look and feel more natural and comfortable.
- Large breasts make it more difficult to exercise or perform other physical activities.
- Overly large breasts have been associated with back problems.
While surgery to reduce implant size involves simply exchanging one implant for another, there’s usually some reconstruction required, since the pocket housing the implant needs to be modified. Risks of the surgery are similar to regular
augmentation surgery, but the recovery time is typically shorter.
Harriet Bleiman, a breast implant reduction patient who spoke with CBS, loves her reduced bust size. “I just feel like this is the right proportion for me… I liked them at the beginning, and after a couple of years they felt like two large, standing out, almost cantaloupes, and that made me very uncomfortable.”
Now, Harriet says, it actually feels as if having a smaller breast size has helped everything from her self-confidence to her golf game.
Those who apply sunscreen regularly when in the sun to prevent sunburns may not quite be doing enough to protect their skin, according to a new study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Sunscreen, the study found, was the most popular form of sun protection chosen by the 3,000 Caucasian adults who participated. In fact, 30% of those studied said they applied sunscreen when out in the sun for longer than one hour. Seeking shade was the second most popular form of sun protection with protective clothing options also being listed.
Startling is the fact that those who said they regularly apply sunscreen were at a 23% higher risk of sunburns, compared to those who rarely apply it.
While avoiding the sun, especially midday when its rays are strongest, is the best way to prevent sunburns and sun damage, applying the appropriate amount of sunscreen is key. For each body part that is exposed, like the legs or arms, a golf ball sized glob of sunscreen should be applied. This should be done half an hour before going outside so it has a chance to absorb and then be reapplied at least every two hours. If you get wet, sunscreen should be applied every 60 to 90 minutes.
People who say they regularly apply sunscreen are often likely not applying it correctly or often enough. Sunscreen should absorb at least 2mm for every square centimeter of skin. When reapplying, those who participated in a Brazilian study only used a quarter of what would be necessary for protection.
Though appropriate sunscreen application can help to prevent sunburn, other forms of protection, though less popular, may guard your skin better. Staying in the shade on sunny days is a prime form of protection from sun damage and burns, as is wearing a hat and clothing that does not leave your legs or arms exposed.
Proper sun protection, whether it comes in the form of correct sunscreen application or avoiding the sun’s rays in another manner, is important. Not only can it guard against the signs of premature aging like wrinkles and age spots, but it can prevent sunburns. Though sunburns may be uncomfortable for several days, in the long-term, they can increase your risk for skin cancer.
To learn more about products to protect your skin and prevent sunburns, as well as non-surgical treatments to correct sun damage, we encourage you to contact us or join our mailing list.
Though everyone has a bellybutton, they may appear dissimilar and many plastic surgeons can work to change the look of a bellybutton, either on its own or as part of a body contouring surgery.
The bellybutton, or navel, is created by the shedding of the umbilical cord following birth. The tube that once supplied all of our nutrients within the womb falls away as babies are forced to rely on their own mouths, stomachs, and lungs. As Cari Nierenberg discusses on The Body Odd, the bellybutton is one of our least understood body parts, both strange and commonplace.
Cosmetic surgery for bellybuttons is rare, but it does occur. The bellybutton can change shape after weight gain or pregnancy, which may cause some people to be dissatisfied with its new shape or size. Others will pursue the surgery following their lifelong dislike of their “outies.” While surgery to convert an innie to an outie is an option, Dr. Curtis Cetrulo, Jr. says that he has never encountered someone who wanted that performed. Bellybutton reconstruction surgery requires local anesthesia and has few side effects beyond some soreness and swelling.
However, the majority of umbilicoplasties will typically occur in conjunction with another surgery, such as a tummy tuck or umbilical hernia repair. The bellybutton often has a unique role in tummy tuck surgery:
Though large breasts implants may have previously been the norm, more patients are electing to downsize their augmented breasts.
Celebrities who have downsized in recent years allegedly include Denise Richards, Victoria Beckham, Drew Barrymore, and Jordan. Taken together they represent a trend toward breast implants being smaller than was previously fashionable.
More everyday women are hopping on the bandwagon, tired of having breast implants that are too large for their bodies, according to CBS News health reporter Stephanie Stahl.
What are some reasons that women might be downsizing their breast implants?
