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Arm Lift Procedure Up 4,000% Since 2000
More men and women have been choosing to have arm lift surgery, with a dramatic increase in this procedure as a part of body contouring after weight loss.
According to a recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, procedures to tighten and tone the upper arm have risen by 4,378% since 2000. This represents a dramatic increase, with only 300 men and women having the procedure in 200, and more than 15,000 last year.
Arm Lift Common After Significant Weight Loss
For those patients who have been working hard to lose weight, excess skin and fat deposits in the arm may serve as a constant reminder of what they have been working so hard to change. For many men and women, their body accumulates extra tissue in the upper arm, giving them the appearance of flabby arms, even when the rest of their body is slimming down.
This was the experience of Natalie Robinson, who was interviewed in the video report. After 36 months of weight loss training, she had lost more than 170 pounds, but still felt that her arms did not represent the major changes she was experiencing elsewhere. For that reason, she decided to have a surgical arm lift, along with thousands of other American men and women and many more internationally.
For those who have lost significant amounts of weight, the arm lift is just one of many procedures that may help to provide a more natural contour to the body as it responds to the weight loss. Other procedures that are popular for this purpose include the tummy tuck, thigh lift and buttock lift. Each body will respond to weight loss in its own way, so those wanting to improve their overall appearance after weight loss should schedule a personal consultation to determine what body contouring procedure is best for their body.
Giving Cosmetic Procedures for Mother's Day
With Mother’s Day approaching rapidly, many moms will be getting a new type of present this year: the gift of cosmetic surgery.
As cosmetic procedures become more mainstream, and discussion of these treatments becomes more common, satisfied customers are more likely than ever before to give these procedures as gifts to their loved ones and friends. This annual holiday celebrating mothers is a perfect opportunity for this kind of gift giving.
Mothers Frequently Choose Injectables, Breast Procedures
With the increasing popularity of these unique gifts, some cosmetic surgeon’s offices have begun encouraging this trend, offering cosmetic surgery specials for Mother’s Day gifts and mothers who schedule procedures around Mother’s Day.
Some of the most popular cosmetic procedures that are given to mothers are non-surgical procedures, such as injectables and various skin treatments. Affordable, fast, and requiring almost no recovery time, injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers may be ideal treatments for the busy lifestyles of mothers. These procedures give dramatic results without the larger commitment of surgery. They can also be an excellent option for those who have not used cosmetic procedures before, but have always wanted to get a taste of its possibilities.
Many gift givers will purchase a gift certificate in a certain amount, and then let the recipient pick their chosen procedure. For those who know exactly what the mother in their life is looking for, the financial details may be taken care of beforehand, improving the surprise of the gift experience.
For mothers who are more familiar with the options available through plastic surgery, and have a clear idea of what they are looking for, there are a number of these surgeries that make popular gifts. Popular plastic surgeries chosen by mothers include breast procedures such as a breast lift or breast augmentation, as well as body contouring procedures like tummy tucks and arm lifts.
Photo by mikebaird on Flickr.
Improving Your Breast Lift Results With a Careful Recovery
Each recovery process is slightly unique, due to the differences between patients and surgeries. Proper planning for your breast lift recovery will improve your long term results.
Thoroughly discussing the plan for your breast lift recovery period will help to ensure that you have the swiftest and smoothest healing process possible. During your pre-surgery consultations, you will go over the expected stages of recovery, including a personalized schedule based on the details of your situation.
Planning for Your Breast Lift Recovery Improves Long Term Results
Breast lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia, which means that you may feel slightly groggy or tired for the first few hours after your surgery. In some cases, small surgical drains may be placed in the area to help with the removal of any excess fluids. The breasts are covered with gauze, and a specialized garment or bra may be used to help support the breasts and keep the drains in place.
The first few days of recovery are often spent at home, but it may soon be possible to increase the activity levels, with many women returning to work and normal schedules after about a week. A special compression surgical bra will be worn for the first 2-3 months to promote proper healing, decrease swelling and improve overall comfort.
For the best long-term results, it is often recommended to wear highly supportive bras after any breast surgery, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, to minimize the natural process of drooping and keep the breasts in their new position, preserving their contours. Strenuous activity or exercise is often discouraged for the first month, including lifting arms over the head or carrying heavy items. Stomach sleeping should also be avoided for the first few weeks to limit the pressure on the breasts.
Photo by Daran Kandasamy on Flickr.
Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting Focuses on Breast Lift/Augmentation
At the much-anticipated 2013 annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), a presentation will be made on advances in the combination of the breast lift and breast augmentation procedures.
The Aesthetic Meeting, as this event is known, takes place in New York City this year, and is a common place for the announcement of profound research and study findings. Over the course of a week, plastic surgeons from all over the country and the world meet to share information that could improve their practices and the experiences of their patients.
Breast Lift/Augmentation Combo Surgery Improves Results
According to Dr. Thomas Hubbard, who will be making the presentation at The Aesthetic Meeting, this research has been five years in the making. I’m excited to share this information with my peers at The Aesthetic Meeting,” he says. “The focus is safety and effectiveness, and board-certified plastic surgeons are continually looking for ways to improve in these areas.”
Though surgeons have been hesitant to perform the procedures together in the past, often preferring two separate surgeries to a combination procedure, new surgical techniques and advances have improved this option. This may give patients better overall outcomes, says Dr. Hubbard. “We can save patients time, discomfort and inconvenience. We can minimize risk. We can even potentially reduce costs for patients. Combined procedures also produce a more comprehensive result for patients who would benefit most from a lift and augmentation.”
The presentation has been scheduled for submission with the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, which should add to the spread of this information to surgeons around the world.
As highly personal and unique surgeries, breast procedures represent a particularly fertile areas for new surgical techniques, as researchers seek to make the experience as successful as possible for women in all situations.
Photo by Canadian Film Centre on Flickr.
Increased Pressure for Women to Look Younger, Survey Shows
A new survey from Allure magazine shows big differences between the genders when it comes to aging. Those surveyed stated that women are more greatly pressured by aging, and men are believed to age more gracefully.
According to the study, which was discussed recently in the New York Daily News, 90% of US men and women feel that women are under a greater pressure to appear young. The survey also showed that women cross the “old” threshold about five years sooner than men, who get away with looking “distinguished” rather than elderly. Men were even found to peak in physical attractiveness at an older age than women, around 34 for men in comparison to 30 for women.
Many of Those Polled Would Consider Cosmetic Surgery
In the words of Kristin Perrotta, executive editor of Allure, “People overwhelmingly said they were concerned about the effects of aging. They were concerned about how it would affect their attractiveness to the opposite sex and particularly with women, how aging would affect their career.” In fact, nearly twice as many women in their fifties reported that they felt they had to look young in order to succeed at their career.
While only 5% of the 2,000 people who participated in the survey had previously undergone cosmetic procedures, 42% of women and 18% of men reported that they would think about it as a future option.
The most common anti-aging procedures are non-surgical injections, like Botox or dermal fillers. Surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lifts, and breast lifts are particularly impactful for giving an impression of youthfulness. And this is an important factor, since according to Perrotta, “this survey definitely shows that aging, when we are talking about appearance, is a real emotional touch point for both men and women, no matter whether they are 20, 40, 60.”
Photo by UggBoy/UggGirl on Flickr.
Thigh Gap Online Trend Boosts Liposuction and Thigh Lifts
An online leg appearance craze may be leading to more cosmetic procedures, according to the Daily Mail. The new trend involves the pursuit of a defined space between the upper legs, known as a “thigh gap.”
Although women throughout history have always pursued the perfect legs, the level of devotion which this trend has gathered is drawing media attention. In addition to widespread online content focused on this goal, including Facebook groups and countless websites, the trend is contributing to the rise in specific leg contouring procedures. According to the article, these groups have more than 700,000 followers, and some surgeons are reporting dramatic increases in the number of leg procedures performed.
Treatments to Help Shape the Inner Thigh
The two most commonly performed procedures for the legs are the thigh lift and liposuction, both of which are procedures that can have a dramatic effect with a relatively short recovery period. Each procedure varies based on the extent of the treatment goals, which are unique to each patient.
Liposuction comes in a variety of forms, and is generally used for more minimal treatments where the skin still retains a healthy amount of elasticity. It may be specifically targeted to address certain trouble areas of the legs where the fat deposits persist despite focused exercise.
Thigh lifts represent a more significant treatment, in which excess skin is surgically removed along with the excess fat. Often, liposuction will be used to enhance the overall appearance of the final result. A thigh lift is typically done in cases where greater amounts of fat must be removed, and the skin has lost its elasticity, meaning that if only liposuction were to be performed, excess skin would be left behind. Other procedures that may be performed in this area at the same time include buttock lifts and tummy tucks.
Photo by Lorena Cupcake on Flickr.
Plastic Surgery Increases Happiness and Self-Esteem, Study Shows
A recent European study has shown that cosmetic surgery improves self-esteem and happiness after a procedure and for several months afterward.
The study, which was conducted by Ruhr Universitat and the University of Basal, worked with 544 first-time surgical patients to establish information about those who choose cosmetic procedures. In addition, the study included 264 people who were interested in cosmetic surgery but chose not to get it, and 1,000 people who were not interested. The study was written up in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, and recently discussed in the NY Daily News.
Realistic Expectations Crucial to a Successful Plastic Surgery Outcome
Prior to their plastic surgery, there were no real happiness or self-esteem differences between those intending to have surgery and those who were not. However, when the breast lift, face lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation patients were interviewed again at three, six and twelve months post-surgery, the surgical patients were noticeably improved in these areas.
In the words of the study authors, “these patients felt healthier, were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and found the operated body feature in particular, but also their body as a whole, more attractive. No adverse effects were observed.”
Another part of the study involved assessing how realistic the patient’s expectations were regarding their plastic surgery. According to these numbers, only about 12% of potential patients had unrealistic expectations of their outcomes and the effect their surgery would have on their lives. The American Psychological Association noted that previous research had firmly established a link between dissatisfaction, poor outcomes and unreasonable expectations.
Overall, other statistics collected by the survey showed that woman remain the driving force behind plastic surgery. According to those numbers, 87% of patients who choose cosmetic procedures are women.
Photo by Stf. O on Flickr.
Many Women Choose Breast Lift One Year After Breastfeeding
The natural changes to womens’ bodies that happen as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding serve an important purpose, but may greatly impact their appearance in the long term.
For many women, a breast lift is an excellent way to meet these challenges by firming and reshaping the breasts for a younger appearance. The procedures may be performed with or without breast implants, depending on whether you are looking for a volume increase in addition to the lift.
Choosing a Breast Lift After Pregnancy May Be the Best Choice for Many Patients
Many women choose the breast lift option because it is an excellent way to firm and lift their breasts without adding any foreign material. This greatly decreases the aesthetic age of the breasts. The lift may also be combined with either a reduction or an augmentation of breast volume depending on the specific patient situation. These procedures may often be performed in one surgical episode, rather than multiple episodes spaced out over time, which increases recovery periods and lengthens the results timeline.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are often key concerns of women considering this procedure. As with many other breast procedures, it is generally still possible for women to become pregnant, give birth and breastfeed following a breast lift. However, as a result of the common breast changes during pregnancy, it may not be practical to have a breast lift prior to expected children, as a revisionary procedure could then be required.
For this reason, most patients are encouraged to postpone any breast lifts until after they have birthed and nursed all the children they intend to have. However, the personal nature of this question makes it a particularly common one for women considering a breast lift. The trusted site RealSelf.com has dozens of questions from women wondering about the best timing for their particular situation.
Photo by mahalie on Flickr.
Plastic Surgery on the Rise in 2012
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.
Professionals Using Cosmetic Surgery as Interview Enhancement
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.
