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VIDEO: Plastic Surgery Turns Around Life for “Biggest Loser”
One woman who competed on The Biggest Loser chose body contouring to further slim her physique, according to KXAN.
In an interview with KXAN, plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Walden discussed body slimming procedures she performed on a noted Biggest Loser contestant who lost 129 lbs. on the reality weight loss show.
After losing the weight, Olivia Ward struggled with the excess skin many weight loss patients deal with. Dr. Walden described how many patients may look “deflated” or feel like a “sack of skin.” It can be difficult to fit into certain types of clothing, like lingerie and health issues can also come up. These conditions can include rashes that form in skin folds.
Due to these concerns, Dr. Walden stresses that body contouring for patients who have lost a dramatic amount of weight is not a vanity surgery—she would classify it as reconstructive.
To remedy Olivia’s redundant skin, Dr. Walden says she performed a tummy tuck and breast lift. In both of these surgeries, the excess skin is separated from the tissues and removed. The plastic surgeon may also use liposuction to remove small, stubborn pockets of fat. The remaining skin is then tightened to ensure a more taut-looking appearance. In the case of a tummy tuck and breast lift, the bellybutton and nipple areola may need to be moved to a higher position, respectively.
Though later pregnancy can affect the look of the body, those who have undergone previous body contouring after major weight loss will only require a smaller procedure post-baby, if they desire.
To learn more about body contouring in Denver, please email plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
The Benefits of Many Breast Reconstruction Options
Patients often associate several pluses with breast reconstruction surgery, according to a new study.
The study, which was conducted at the University Health Network Breast Restoration Program at the University of Toronto, asked women about the procedure three weeks after surgery, and again three months after. What it found was that even three weeks out, when healing was still taking place, is that many patients reported an improvement in their overall well-being.
Even if some patients experienced complications following their procedure, which were remedied, many still felt the surgery had improved their lives.
What was interesting, however, is that the type of reconstruction the patients chose affected how they felt about the surgery and their healing. A common breast reconstruction option is to use implants to recreate the breast. This procedure generally has a shorter recovery time than other breast reconstruction options, but may require implant revision within several years. The second, more involved breast reconstruction option is to use tissues from the patient’s own body, such as the stomach.
Patients who selected a tissue-based breast reconstruction option experienced a longer recovery, as well as weakened abdominal muscles. This weakening of the stomach muscles is an expected side effect, but some patients feel it can inhibit everyday functions, even like getting out of bed in the morning.
To remedy this, the researchers suggested that more should be done to make patients aware of the side effects of tissue-based reconstruction. This would include the patient working with a physiotherapist, to help them regain use of the stomach muscles.
Even with these new findings, the researchers stress the importance of finding a breast reconstruction option that fits with the patient’s lifestyle. What is ideal for one woman, may not work for the next.
To learn more about your breast reconstruction options in Denver, please join the mailing list of plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
Plastic Surgeon Shares His Daughter's Breast Cancer Experience
After his daughter went through her own breast cancer experience, one plastic surgeon gained new insight into how to care for his patients, as he told savannahnow.com.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Laughlin had been treating patients who requested breast reconstruction, as well as a host of cosmetic surgeries for more than 25 years when he learned of his own daughter’s breast cancer diagnosis. From his years in practice, he already had an understanding of the type of breast cancer experience a woman can go through, from diagnosis to reconstruction, but this life-changing event gave him a new perspective, he says.
After her breast cancer experience, his daughter Julie has been a survivor for eight years, but throughout the ordeal, Dr. Laughlin says he wanted to make sure she had the best care possible, since her family lived too far away for her to be treated locally. To this end, he kept in close contact with Julie’s physicians, listening to their recommendations and helping her understand the options.
Some of the tips Dr. Laughlin gave Julie, and those he may give others going through a similar breast cancer experience were to listen to all of the recommendations of specialists and do her own research. He also stressed the importance of bringing a family member to all consultations because the amount of information can be overwhelming.
Now that Julie has beaten breast cancer, Dr. Laughlin says he has learned some valuable takeaways from the breast cancer experience that he can use to help his patients in the future.
He says he better understands how families can feel going through countless office visits and procedures. Dr. Laughlin knows the importance of working with each patient individually, allowing her to ask whatever questions she needs to. He also understands the importance of the entire medical team (and family) in helping each patient through her own breast cancer experience.
“This whole experience has made me even more understanding and compassionate and, hopefully, a better plastic surgeon,” Dr. Laughlin says.
To learn more about your options for breast reconstruction in Denver, please contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
UK Plastic Surgery Tax to Be Implemented?
UK plastic surgeons are worried that a new tax on plastic surgery could have a negative impact, according to WebMD.
Currently in the UK, a plastic surgery tax only exists on non-surgical treatments like Botox, fillers and laser treatments, a fact that plastic surgeons take no issue with. (In the UK, a VAT tax or “Value Added Tax” is somewhat similar to sales tax in the US in that consumers must pay it on top of the price for a good or elective service.)
Lawmakers in the UK, though, may soon examining whether a plastic surgery tax should apply to elective cosmetic surgeries, like breast augmentation. In the US, patients already pay sales tax on elective plastic surgeries, but not medically-necessary procedures, which are often billed through insurance.
Some plastic surgeons in the UK are beginning to speak out against a possible review in the application of VAT, which may cause patients to have to pay a plastic surgery tax when they previously did not need to.
Current laws regarding VAT tax stipulate that procedures are tax exempt when the “protection, maintenance or restoration” of health is the main goal. A handful of plastic surgeons argue that changing any of these tax laws could put many patient’s surgical desires in a gray area.
Former president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Douglas McGeorge says the common image of plastic surgery is mega-celebrities casually undergoing elective procedures. Rather, he argues, it is members of the general public who choose plastic surgery to improve small aspects of themselves for a positive result.
McGeorge uses the image of an older worker undergoing facial rejuvenation to help make themselves more competitive in the workplace. He sees the difficulty in distinguishing between what is a functional improvement and what is purely cosmetic.
In response to the worry of some plastic surgeons regarding a new plastic surgery tax, the UK government says they currently have no plans to revise the VAT for cosmetic surgeries.
“Medical treatment for purely aesthetic reasons has been, and continues to be, liable to VAT at the standard rate,” it said in a statement.
To learn more about options for financing your plastic surgery in Denver, please contact plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
Patient Sees Cosmetic Benefits from Functional Blepharoplasty
Though some procedures may seem purely cosmetic, some patients can gain functional benefits from plastic surgery, too, according to TampaBay.com.
When 74-year-old Mary Lou began experiencing vision issues from droopy eyelids, her daughter suggested seeing a plastic surgeon for a functional blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a facial procedure in which excess skin is removed from around the eyes to open them up. While it can be cosmetic, for patients like Mary Lou who experience vision issues, it can also improve function.
When she first thought about plastic surgery, Mary Lou was apprehensive about any procedure. She says she always thought she would age gracefully. But after some gentle encouragement from her daughter, she realized the benefits she would gain from functional blepharoplasty were too great to pass up.
In her consultation with her plastic surgeon, Mary Lou learned that the cost of her functional blepharoplasty would be covered by Medicare since it was deemed medically necessary. During her consultation, Mary Lou also decided to undergo a laser procedure to improve the look of puffiness under her eyes. This procedure is considered cosmetic, so Mary Lou paid out of pocket.
After her successful functional blepharoplasty and laser eye treatment, people say Mary Lou looks 10 and sometimes 20 years younger, she shares. Mary Lou says this sort of procedure can help women look better and feel better about themselves.
Mary Lou is not alone in choosing plastic surgery later in life. According to the ASPS, nearly 85,000 plastic surgery procedures were performed on patients over 65 in 2010, a number that continues to grow.
And though some may worry that being older puts a patient at a higher risk for complications from surgery, research shows this to not be true. A report published last spring in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found patients over 65 were at no higher risk than younger patients.
We encourage you to learn more about how plastic surgery options can improve your function, self-confidence and way of life. Please join the mailing list of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
Body Contouring After Weight Loss A Vital Procedure
Body contouring after weight loss may not even be on the radar for some weight loss patients, according to Reuters.
Oftentimes after a patient has undergone bariatric surgery which results in dramatic weight loss, they come face to face with the reality of loose skin. When the body has lost such a great amount of weight, the skin has often lost its elasticity and cannot conform to the new, slimmer body shape. Because of this body contouring after weight loss is often necessary for patients to regain ease in their lives.
Plastic surgeons from the ASPS, however, have found that patients may not often know about procedures for body contouring after weight loss or may not be able to afford them. In a paper he presented last month at the annual ASPS conference, plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Spector shared the results of a recent survey he conducted.
According to Spector, nearly 300 patients participated in the survey. Spector found that only about a quarter of the patients who underwent bariatric surgery discussed options for body contouring with their surgeon prior to the bariatric procedure. Just more that 10% of patients went through with body contouring after weight loss.
The main reasons patients gave for not undergoing body contouring after weight loss? Being unaware of their options or the cost of the potential procedure. If they had been better informed, nearly 40% of the patients said they may have made a different decision about body contouring.
Though body contouring after weight loss is categorized by most health insurance providers as a cosmetic procedure, plastic surgeons often regard it as reconstructive. They may compare it to breast reconstruction.
Loose skin after dramatic weight loss can result in a range of health issues for patients. The folds can become infected or develop skin rashes and it can get caught in tight spaces. Patients with loose skin after dramatic weight loss also have difficulty exercising and finding clothing that fits their new frame.
To learn more about body contouring after weight loss, we encourage you to join the mailing list of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
Topical Botox Research Yields Positive Findings
(229/365) Daily injection by Sarah G..., on Flickr
Wrinkle-smoothing results have been found in early research on topical Botox, according to HealthDay News.
While patients who currently want the wrinkle smoothing effects of Botox must undergo the traditional injectable treatment, researchers are hoping to make progress in developing topical Botox. This would be a boon for patients who are needle-averse.
The injectable Botox, containing a form of botulinum toxin, works when it is injected into the muscle beneath a wrinkle. After injection, it limits contraction of the muscle and over a period of several days, the wrinkle begins to smooth out. The topical Botox in development contains many of the same components, but instead may be applied to crow’s feet, for example. After sitting on the skin for about half an hour, it is then wiped off.
Early results for this simple procedure have been quite good. According to researchers, nearly 90% of patients tested experienced a “clinically meaningful” reduction in wrinkles. Another study saw 40% of patients experiencing a favorable reduction in wrinkles, illustrating how the drug is still in development.
And it is just that—a drug. Rather than a cream that may be applied at home by patients, the topical Botox gel would need to be administered in a plastic surgeon’s office.
Though the results of this research are strictly preliminary, they may shed a little light on future wrinkle treatments and may alleviate the apprehension of the needle-averse.
To find out more about non-surgical wrinkle reduction, we encourage you to join the mailing list of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
Surgical Adhesive TissuGlu Seeks FDA Approval
TissuGlu, a new surgical adhesive, may remove the need for surgical drains after some plastic surgeries, pending FDA approval, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Most often when patients who undergo a procedure like a body lift, in which excess fat and skin are removed circumferentially around the midsection, the incisions are closed with sutures. A side effect of a surgery like this is that fluid can build up in the areas around the sutures. As such, patients must often wear surgical drains for days and sometimes even weeks following treatment. This can leave the incision open for infection and the tubes themselves can be bothersome for patients.
TissuGlu, the surgical adhesive which was recently approved for use in Europe, is administered quickly and can greatly improve patient experience. The product, which does not require mixing or refrigerating, is applied by the plastic surgeon who places drops of it along the incision. The process takes just a couple of minutes and achieves a full bond in 30 to 45 minutes. In some cases, it may reduce a patient’s recovery time.
In testing of the surgical adhesive in 2009, none of the 40 patients tested at three different hospitals experienced complications. The ease of use and lack of complications in this testing of the surgical adhesive may be due in part to its components. While similar to other adhesives, TissuGlu is primarily made up of amino acids. These components are absorbed by the body as water, sugar and carbon dioxide.
Though European approval has already taken place, clinical testing is scheduled to take place in the US in early 2012 and the application for FDA approval is to be submitted by the end of this year.
To learn more about advances in plastic surgery, like this surgical adhesive or specials on non-surgical treatments in the meantime, please join the mailing list of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat.
The Positive Side of "Revenge Surgery"
Post-divorce, many individuals may see “revenge surgery” as a way to get back at an ex, but one plastic surgeon told FOX News he sees surgery after divorce in a positive light.
According to plastic surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta, women and even some men who are recently divorced are turning to plastic surgery to get a new lease on life. Often, he says, these individuals turn to plastic surgeons to help them improve the way they look and their confidence as they reenter the dating pool. Rather than using the term “revenge surgery,” Dr. Lapuerta says he sees patients who are motivated to improve themselves instead of getting back at their exes.
Dr. Lapuerta says he would not operate on someone who was motivated to get “revenge surgery,” but says patients should be healthy and motivated for the right reasons. He adds that patients who are recently divorced may need a bit more time to think about the reasons for undergoing a major surgery. Dr. Lapuerta says he needs to ensure that his patients don’t rush into the surgery with the wrong mindset—he wants to understand each patient’s unique motivations.
The most popular post-divorce procedures he performs for women include:
Men most often look to improve the apparent age of their face and might undergo eyelid surgery or a neck or facelift.
Dr. Lapeurta says that as a plastic surgeon, he sees many patients with improved self-confidence after a procedure and counts that as one of the perks of his job.
To learn more about your options for plastic surgery after a divorce, we encourage you to contact the practice of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat.
Surgery to Look Like a Celebrity—Is It for You?
Walk of Fame by m.grinnell, on Flickr
Some plastic surgeons are taking note of a new trend—surgery to look like a celebrity, according to the ASAPS.
Though many patients may not say they want plastic surgery to look like a celebrity in every way possible, many patients pick out certain aspects of a star’s look they admire. You just need to look to the cover of a magazine to see the most sought-after celeb facial features.
Commonly, women desire to have fuller lips, like Angelina Jolie. Plastic surgeons often use injectable fillers to create a larger kissable area on the lips.
Jennifer Aniston’s body is also popular among women. To create a more toned midsection, your plastic surgeon may perform a tummy tuck to remove loose skin and liposuction to eradicate fat that will not go away despite diet and exercise.
Women are not alone in their desires to get plastic surgery to look like a celebrity. Men often undergo nose surgery or rhinoplasty when they desire a profile like Brad Pitt. Male Jersey Shore fans may choose body liposuction to create a more toned stomach, as well. In addition, procedures to create a more masculine chest, like male breast reduction and even chest implants for some men, are increasingly popular.
Should I Get Surgery to Look Like a Celebrity?
If you are interested in any sort of plastic surgery modeled after a star, however, it is important to have a frank conversation with your plastic surgeon. He will help you determine what is possible and what will best showcase your natural features. Please join the mailing list of Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Mouchantat to learn more about plastic surgery options.
