5 Things You Need to Know As You Recover From Plastic Surgery
By staff | May 22, 2009
Plastic surgery is wonderful for creating dramatically beautiful transformations to ones appearance. However, the magic in the wand of a qualified surgeon often takes longer to realize than depicted on popular television shows. Though easy to overlook, post operative recovery is part of the plastic surgery process. Although primarily done for cosmetic reasons, there are a few post surgical precautions to consider following surgery. They include:
- Discomfort or swelling: Plastic surgery is not a magic wand that when waved gives you a beautifully sculpted body in one stroke. You have to endure the healing process which can include bruising, some discomfort, and/or swelling. Although this phase will eventually pass, some procedures are more uncomfortable than others so it may be wise to talk to talk to your doctor beforehand about methods to cope. You will probably need at least one to three weeks of rest depending on the complexity of your surgery. For more extensive swelling and bruising, you may need to be prepared with ice packs and cold compresses.
- Inability to return to work: You’re not going to be able to return to work or make your presence on the social scene immediately after surgery due to discomfort, fatigue, being medicated, or being bandaged. You will need to prepare for this by informing your employer and family or by undergoing the surgery during vacation. When you do return to work, you could find yourself stiffer and more uncomfortable than usual, but this feeling should subside in a few days.
- Inability to lead a normal life: This part of the recovery process is probably the most overlooked. On television, plastic surgery patients are often transformed before our eyes in an instant. However, in the real world of plastic surgery, the transformation is not instantaneous. Discomfort and bandages often restrict your ability to do normal, everyday activities such as driving a car, doing housework, engaging in exercise activity, and having sex. If you live alone or have small children who depend on you, it is wise to arrange for a reliable friend or family member to stay with you during the recovery period.
- Mixed emotional feelings: Although you’re going to be looking forward to a new you, you may begin to feel anxious at this stage hoping that everything went OK and that there are no unforeseen complications. Although being emotional is quite normal, it is important to find the right support so that your post operative experience is positive and healthy. It is important during this phase to avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits that will only perpetuate feelings of anxiety or stress or slow down your recovery process.
- Slow signs of change: Since, your body will not change overnight after surgery, you may have to do a little physiotherapy to recover from the operation. It is important during this stage to expect gradual recovery. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see immediate signs of change. It takes between two weeks and two months for all the results of the surgery to show. So be patient, and follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter for a speedy and successful recovery.
This article was originally written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of surgical assistant schools at her blog iScrub.
Topics: Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Healing and Recovery | 2 Comments »
Facial Aging… New Weapons - Old Enemy
By Dr. Cruise | May 22, 2009
Facial Aging… New Weapons - Old Enemy
It seems hard to believe, but Fat Transfer is the latest in plastic surgery’s arsenal against facial aging. While aging affects the entire face, it usually affects the eye region first. Early in life a large amount of fat surrounds the eye providing a youthful appearance. As we age this fat may either descend downward on the face or go away completely. Lower eyelid surgery can restore a youthful appearance by repositioning the skin, fat and muscle to a more youthful state.
“Fat Transfer has completely changed the way I approach lower eyelid and cheek rejuvenation,” says Dr. Cruise. “Traditional plastic surgery taught us to pull and tug the tissues of the lower lid. This often led to unnatural looking lower lids that were hollowed out. We were actually accentuating the aging process by removing what little fat remained. Today, I use fat to replace the fat that has melted away with time. This fat does an mazing job of filling out the lower lid crease and cheeks. This is what makes your eyes look younger yet still natural; almost like turning back the clock.”
The Lower Eyelids Most UnWanted List
• Circles Under the Eyes
• Excess Skin
• Sagging of the Outer Corner
• Crow’s Feet
• Bulging Fat (Bags)
These are the culprits that bring most people to the plastic surgeons office for lower lid rejuvenation. The early signs of aging begin insidiously. Youthful cheek fat disappears creating a lower lid crease and deflating the skin of the lower lid. Fat transfer is necessary to correct this problem. But often, there is an excess of skin that involves not only the lower lid but the entire temple region. This is why so many patients try to recreate the look they want by gently puling up on their temple hair line.
“The Temple Lift is a remarkable technique that rejuvenates the entire temple area. It removes the excess skin around the corner of the eye,” states Dr. Cruise. “This takes care of the crow’s feet and creates a youthful, almond shaped eye. In addition, it elevates the outer part of the eyebrow producing a naturally elegant appearance.”
The nice thing about the majority of lower lid rejuvenation is that it can be done under local anesthesia. Recovery may involve bruising but is routinely painless.
Topics: Eyelid Surgery, Face Lift, Home | 1 Comment »
Bargain Cosmetic Surgery Vacations May Be Costly
By staff | May 22, 2009
Cosmetic surgery tourism is a price-driven phenomenon that has experienced increased growth over the past decade. Numerous companies offering all-inclusive vacation packages that include cosmetic surgery are popping up all over the world. You can easily locate them online. The offers generally include private hospital services and tout “highly-trained” and “credentialed” medical staff.
Since elective cosmetic surgery procedures are not covered by insurance, price is the major selling point of cosmetic surgery tourism, with entire vacation/surgical packages costing less than individualprocedures in the United States.
Although there are many skilled and qualified physicians practicing all over the world, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons cautions that it may be difficult to assess the training and credentials of surgeons outside of the United States. Patients may take unnecessary risks, when choosing cosmetic surgery vacations, by unknowingly selecting unqualified physicians and having procedures performed in non-accredited surgical facilities. The ASPS urges patients to consider the potential complications, unsatisfactory results, and risks to general health that may occur.
Vacation-related activities may compromise patients’ health. Cosmetic surgery trips are marketed as vacations; although enticing, vacation activities should be avoided after surgery. To properly heal and to reduce the ossibility of complications, patients should not sunbathe, drink alcohol, swim/snorkel, water ski/jet ski, parasail, take extensive tours (walking or bus), or exercise after surgery.
Follow up care and monitoring may be limited. Follow up care and monitoring are important part of any surgery. Cosmetic surgery vacation packages provide limited follow up care, if any, once the patient returns to the United States. Patients who have traveled outside of the United States for cosmetic surgery and experience a complication may find it hard to locate qualified plastic surgeon to treat the problem or to provide revision surgeries. Local doctors may not know what surgical techniques the physician used in the initial operation, making treatment difficult or nearly impossible. Revision surgeries can be more complicated than the initial operation and patients rarely get the desired results.
According to a study done by the ASPS*, “The most popular destinations for cosmetic surgery tourism include Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Thailand.” These destinations offer everything from “safari and surgery” to “tropical, scenic tour” vacation packages.
Bargain surgery can be costly. Patients can incur additional costs for revision surgeries and complications, that may not be correctable, and may total more than the cost of the initial operation if originally performed in
the United States.
Surgeon and facility qualifications may not be verifiable. In order for cosmetic surgery to be performed safely, it requires the proper administration of anesthesia, sterile technique, modern instrumentation and equipment, as well as properly trained surgeons. Vacation destinations may not have formal medical accreditation boards to certify physicians or medical facilities.
Topics: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift/Reduction, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Economy, Face Lift, Gynecomastia, Home, Mommy Make-Over, Nose reshaping, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
MOOBS - Male Breast Reduction, Gynecomastia
By staff | May 14, 2009
Gynecomastia has long been considered a taboo topic, and is only recently becoming easier to talk about. But, for some men, it will never be easy to talk about. So, what options do they have? The web has become a shining beacon of hope for men with Gynecomastia. The Internet makes you anonymous. It allows you a blanket of anonymity that can make many people to feel comfortable talking about their problems and seeking help. Usernames can be whatever you want, and your settings can allow you the chance to protect yourself from the world.
Gynecomastia.org and YouTube are both playing imperative roles in the changing perspective of men and gynecomastia. Gynecomastia.org is a site that is heavily monitored for poor behavior and has been made a safe haven for men who want to talk about their life with gynecomastia and the ways that they are hoping to treat it. There are many respected doctors who participate on the site, and the information on the site is quality. The patients are able to ask questions of each other, or of the doctors. Both the doctors and the patients can post stories and experiences.
Youtube: many mistake it for a place to just see a silly chipmunk or the most recent ‘mock’-video – but for thousands of men it is becoming a place for answers and a look into “MOOBS”, gynecomastia. One of the videos that Dr. Joseph Cruise has on YouTube has collected comments over the last year ranging from simple thank you’s for talking about it to questions about the procedure that the doctor is able to respond to. “If a person has to reveal their name, often they aren’t as willing to be open about what they need and it is harder to find a solution” says Dr. Joseph Cruise. Finding a way to connect in a much more internet focused world is the goal of most surgeons – but doing it properly while respecting the patients confidentiality takes a lot of effort and time.
Please feel free to post comments. I would love to hear feedback on this subject.
Topics: Celebrities, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Gynecomastia, Home, Liposuction, Plastic Surgery | 1 Comment »
My Supportive Family and My Mommy Makeover
By staff | April 3, 2009
I am a fortunate woman. My family was very supportive of my decision to have my mommy makeover from the beginning. At first, my husband was slightly concerned that the recovery from the tummy tuck would be too intense, but overall he was extremely supportive. He understood it was something I really wanted to do for myself and now that we are finished having our three children it was time. He said, “Honey, if it will make you happy, I’m all for it”.
My children were also very supportive. They saw me working out at the gym day after day struggling to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape, with very limited results. I think, they loved the idea of their mother coming home happier and with a smaller waist line. Though they couldn’t really wrap their mind around the results, my family thought it would be good for me to finally have what I tried so hard to achieve through diet and exercise alone.
It has been 10 weeks since my procedure and my results are stunning. My once 38ish inch waste line already measures a sleek 28 inches and it will most likely continue to shrink as I heal. My once tight size 9’s have now been reduced to a loose 5, and I feel great. As far as my breast augmentation is concerned… let me just say my husband is pleased with the results. He has always been polite and supportive of me, but now he compliments me in a way that makes me feel as if we are dating again. He dotes on my every word and onstantly tells me how beautiful I look, how much he loves me, and how he will do anything to keep me happy.
Yolanda,
Standard Tummy Tuck with Liposuction, Breast Lift with Augmentation.
Topics: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift/Reduction, Liposuction, Mommy Make-Over, Plastic Surgery, Tummy Tuck | No Comments »
Woman Accused Of Using Stolen Identity to Fund Mommy Makeover!
By Dr. Cruise | March 30, 2009
This is almost unbelievable…. The Marin Indpendent Journal just reported that a 32 year old woman stole a credit card and another woman’s identity to pay for a tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction. The story goes:
Bowman, 32, is in Marin County Jail on allegations she used someone else’s identity to buy a $20,000 makeover from a plastic surgery office in Greenbrae. She was arrested after the medical office set up a sting operation with sheriff’s investigators.
“She’s going to look really good in jail,” said Dr. Yngvar Hvistendahl, who performed the four-hour operation.
The case began in late February, when a woman made an appointment for a “Mommy Makeover” procedure at Plastic Surgery Specialists, the Greenbrae office where Hvistendahl practices.
The procedure, for women who have recently had a baby, includes a breast lift, a tummy tuck and liposuction. The fee is $17,000 to $20,000.
“She was out of shape and hadn’t done much for herself,” said Hvistendahl, 44, of Novato. “She’d always had ptotic (sagging) breasts and she wanted them to be perky.”
The operation was scheduled for Feb. 28. The patient only qualified for $12,000 in financing in advance, so on the day of surgery, she used a debit card to pay the rest.
The transaction was denied, so the patient called the bank and handed the phone to an office worker. The transaction was approved orally, and the surgery was performed.
Plastic Surgery Specialists always sends its patients flowers, in this case to the patient’s address in Martinez, at which time doctors learned that the residence is inhabited by a different woman.
That woman, a 39-year-old, had her purse taken several months earlier in Martinez, and she canceled her credit card. But she neglected to cancel her debit card - the card that was used to pay for the plastic surgery.
The case might have stalled there, but the woman who had the surgery called back to set up a followup appointment.
“She needed to come in for an itchy navel,” Hvistendahl said.
The medical office tipped off sheriff’s investigators, who were waiting when the woman arrived for her appointment.
Police identified the woman as Bowman, who also lives in Martinez. Sheriff’s Detective Greg Garrett said Bowman used the other woman’s date of birth, Social Security number and address to sign up for the surgery and get the $12,000 line of credit.
When it came time to use the debit card on the day of the operation, Bowman called a friend and the friend pretended to be a bank supervisor approving the transaction, Garrett said.
“It’s quite a deal,” he said. Police have not identified the accomplice.
Bowman was arraigned in Marin Superior Court on charges of commercial burglary, identity theft, possession of a completed forged instrument and receiving stolen property, according to a complaint filed by Deputy District Attorney Linda Witong.
Bowman is scheduled to enter a plea on April 23. She declined to comment on the case Tuesday night at the county jail, where she is being held in lieu of $90,000 bail.
“She knows she made a huge mistake and she’s trying to remedy it,” said Bowman’s lawyer, Dan O’Malley of Walnut Creek. “She wants to pay back the money, take responsibility and start her new life.”
Hvistendahl said he doesn’t know whether his patient really had a baby before getting the surgery. But he does know that the office will be confirming patients’ identities from now on.
“It takes a certain person to have the gall to do that,” he said. “She has to come back to the scene of the crime for followup.”
Topics: Mommy Make-Over, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
Tighter Plastic Surgery Rules
By Dr. Cruise | March 30, 2009
California lawmakers are pushing for tougher standards for clinics and surgeons that perform cosmetic surgery. The call for stricter patient safety protections comes in the wake of the high-profile death of Donda West, the 58-year-old mother of Kanye West, who died following cosmetic surgery. A coroner’s report indicated that West died from heart disease. A physical exam conducted prior to surgery would have revealed her condition, but West’s surgeon did not perform one, according to her family. AB 2968 would force cosmetic surgery candidates to have a physical exam before undergoing surgery. Another bill pending in the California state Senate would require inspections of outpatient facilities once every three years. But some physicians argue that the additional regulations will not change how cosmetic surgeons practice. “There’s no way to control surgical judgment,” says American Society of Plastic Surgeons Vice President Dr. Michael F. McGuire, who recommends instead tougher disclosure requirements for cosmetic surgeons. McGuire says all healthcare providers should be required to divulge data about their educational background and training before performing surgery. He supports laws that would allow only board-certified plastic surgeons to perform surgery.
Though lawmakers will continue to protect consumers through tighter legislation, this is a testament to the old adage… Buyer beware. When considering plastic surgery it is always good policy to opt for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and ask the right questions. For a complete summary of the news article listed above along with some others visit ASPS online.
Topics: Celebrities, Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
The Late Dr. Leslie Bolton
By staff | March 30, 2009
“For some of you who knew the Late Dr. Bolton you were amoung the blessed. I went from LA to Las Vegas in search for a doctor even meeting with a couple celebs. But he was one of a kind. As far as plastic surgery goes he was truly an artist with a tender nature to match. I went to him for a couple procedures which turned out beautifully. His approach was so sincere and genuine. I was only 19 at the time of my first and it wasn’t easy to convince him. But am I glad I did. I ended up sending more than ten friends to him who were all just as happy. I only hope I can find someone who gave me such confidence when it came to their skill. It can be pretty scary undergo any procedure, but he made his patients feel great about anything they would do. He will be missed.”
By Dr. Bolton’s Patient
Topics: Plastic Surgery | 1 Comment »
Plastic Surgery for Everyone
By Dr. Cruise | March 30, 2009
For anyone feeling guilty about splurging on plastic surgery, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has an interesting study.
While 71 percent of potential plastic-surgery patients make under $60,000 annually, they are employing creative means to pay for the costly procedures. Dental assistant Lara Osborne, who earns $24,000 annually, paid for $5,500 breast-impact surgery by getting financial assistance from her mother and boyfriend and working overtime. Part-time postal worker Traycee Jones, who earns $31,000, wanted a $7,000 abdominoplasty after having three children, and was only able to do so by charging the procedure on a credit card that carries a 9.9 percent interest rate that she will be repaying until 2010. After returning from serving in Iraq, LaSaundra Stuckey, who is in her 40s and makes $60,000, decided to get breast implants, liposuction, and a tummy tuck, which cost $15,000. She received a 20 percent military discount for the procedures and paid for them with hazardous duty pay. Meanwhile, law-enforcement officer Cindy Nixon recently underwent a $15,200 face, brow, and neck lift. Although she makes around $100,000 per year, she still had to refinance her house to pay for the procedures. In addition, an anesthesiologist friend provided his services at no cost.
It’s expensive but permanent. What do you think… Should everyone be spending their hard earned money on a little nip/tuck?
Topics: Plastic Surgery | No Comments »
No more dark circles
By Dr. Cruise | March 30, 2009
According to a 2006 survey by Katie Zexima of The New York Times (2008-06-12) P. G1, 13,000 Clinique users found that dark under-eye circles are a major beauty concern for many people. For years, the only way to treat these dark circles–which are caused excess pigmentation in the skin or dilated blood vessels in the skin–was laser surgery, which was painful and required a significant amount of recovery time. But now there are a number of new ways to reduce or eliminate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. For example, a increasingly popular way to treat dark under-eye circles is by injecting off-label fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm. According to plastic surgeons and dermatologists, these fillers can help cover up the pigment or the blood vessels that are visible in the area under the eyes. In addition, the injections involve little recovery time for the patient. However, there are risks involved in using Restylane and Juvederm to treat under-eye circles. For instance, patients can get bumps and lumps from the injections because the skin under the eyes is so thin, said Dr. Diane Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, and Dr. John A. Persing, a professor and the chief of plastic surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Topics: Eyelid Surgery | 1 Comment »
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