Blog Archives
Posted on February 28th, 2013 in
Plastic Surgeon

New information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicate increases in cosmetic surgery by about five percent during 2012. Non-surgical procedures were the area that had the most growth, with
Botox and microdermabrasion showing the biggest increases.
According to the
ASPS, there were 14.6 million cosmetic procedures in 2012, as well as 5.6 million reconstructive procedures. This represents the third year in a row with similar growth patterns, signifying that these numbers may be representative of a larger overall pattern.
Increases in Facelifts, Botox, Other Non-Surgical Procedures
According to ASPS President Gregory Evans, MD, “For the third consecutive year, the overall growth in cosmetic surgery continues to be driven by a significant rise in minimally-invasive procedures, while surgical procedures remain relatively stable.”
Botox Cosmetic injections were clearly the most popular procedure in 2012, with more than 6 million performed, three times as many as the second-most popular procedure, which was soft tissue fillers. Botox enjoyed an 8% increase, and dermal fillers had a 5% increase. The other most popular non-surgical procedures were chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion, all of which saw moderate growth.
The most popular cosmetic procedure of 2012 was
breast augmentation, closely followed by rhinoplasty and
facelifts. Other cosmetic surgical procedures in the top five were eyelid surgeries and face lifts, both of which experienced moderate growth in 2012.
The rapid growth in non-surgical procedures may be attributed to the constant improvement of these procedures in recent years, which have made them more effective, less expensive, and with a decreased recovery period. Greater overall acceptance of cosmetic procedures has led new patients to give them a try, and many begin with these non-surgical procedures before deciding to have long-term options such as rhinoplasty or a facelift.
Image by Spirit-Fire on Flickr.
Posted on February 21st, 2013 in
Plastic Surgeon

With the rapid changes in popularity and public acceptance of cosmetic surgery, more and more young professionals are choosing to have procedures done to improve their interviews. This trend, previously seen in India and the UK, is now being seen in the United States.
For many young professionals, these procedures are performed to help enhance their image for important events such as interviews, presentations and celebrations. Some of the most popular procedures for this type of new patients include scar removal, nose jobs, ear surgery, tattoo removal and other skin procedures.
Younger Professionals Choosing Cosmetic Procedures
According to Dr. Sunil Choudhary, who directs aesthetic/reconstructive surgery at Max Super-Specialty Hospital in Dehli, “the majority of cases we get have to do with change in facial appearance. Men come with two main demands — removal of a bad scar or stitch mark on the cheek or forehead or improvement of a crooked nose. The reason for the scar or the crooked nose could be anything — an accident or a fall. But they feel it will associate them as someone who has fights or gets into a brawl at a bar and can therefore earn negative points.”
These kind of trends have a way of building momentum, for as more people choose these procedures, the standards shift toward more cosmetic procedures. This sets the bar higher for others who have not had surgery, making them more likely to choose it themselves.
Anti-aging procedures are also frequently being performed on younger men and women for similar purposes. This includes
Botox Cosmetic injections,
dermal fillers, and a variety of
facial and neck lifts. For many, the end goal is creating the best possible first impression, a particularly important quality for those working in sales and other positions with direct customer interactions.
Photo by Alex France on Flickr.
Posted on February 14th, 2013 in
Breast Surgery

Long the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world,
Botox injections are now being used for several applications beyond the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. These injections are now used for migraines, depression and joint pain, and some speculate that they may be useful for minimally invasive breast lifts.
Some of the many ways that Botox injections have been utilized up to now include wrinkle reduction, wrinkle prevention, migraine treatment, elimination of muscle spasms, bladder control, and the shrinking of calf muscles. Currently, some medical experts speculate that its next new usage will be for temporary and minimally invasive breast lifts.
Botox Injections Could Offer Non-Invasive Breast Lifts with No Recovery Period
The main advantages of the treatment are cost, convenience and the recovery period. Generally much less expensive than surgery, this treatment comes in a number of forms with varying costs. In some cases, the Botox injections could be combined with dermal filler injections to add volume and minimize wrinkles.
In terms of convenience, patients would be able to complete the whole procedure in about an hour with no scarring or open surgery. There would be no recovery period, and women could return to normal life immediately.
The results of the Botox breast lift would be temporary, with patients generally seeing results that lasted 9-12 months, though repeat applications would be possible. The length of the results would also depend upon the usage of injectable fillers. For some women, this could someday be a temporary way to determine if a longer-term breast surgery such as a
breast lift or
breast augmentation is right for them.
Though this use of Botox has not been FDA-approved for usage in the United States, some doctors have already begun using this treatment internationally, in places such as the
United Kingdom. The controversy surrounding this treatment’s efficacy and safety, however, make it seem unlikely that this will ever be an FDA-approved treatment in the US.
Photo by Jennifer Lord Photography on Flickr.
Posted on February 7th, 2013 in
Body Surgery

For some women who successfully achieve their weight loss goals, one unexpected problem may be changes in breast volume and shape. A breast lift is an effective way to address these changes.
In contrast with
breast augmentation, a
breast lift, or mastopexy, does not add volume to the breasts or use implants. Rather, the natural tissue of the breast is rearranged and secured in a higher position, and excess skin is removed as needed. In many cases, the nipple may be raised to give a more symmetric appearance. The breast lift is very similar to the
breast reduction in procedure, but generally no major tissue removal or size reduction is performed with a breast lift.
Weight Loss May Greatly Affect the Body Contours
Significant changes in body weight are rarely distributed evenly across the body. Inevitably, tissue volume seems to be lost from areas where it would be desirable, and remain in areas where it would not, such as the abdomen, arms and thighs. Breast and buttock lifts or augmentations are often used to treat these developments.
Another result that many women experience following a change in weight is asymmetric breast volume or appearance. One breast may be different in size, position or overall shape than the other, all situations that may be treated through a breast lift procedure.
With any breast lift procedure, the goal is not to recreate exactly the previous appearance of the breasts, but rather to create a proportional and balanced overall effect. This involves proper positioning of the breast tissue, nipple line and symmetry. The final results are breasts that more naturally reflect the overall shape and appearance of your body, giving an impression of overall health and fitness to your chest that better reflects your weight loss.
Photo by Oceanview Med Spa on Flickr.