Bad Cosmetic Surgery: Beware Of The Pitfalls

Cosmetic Surgery has been around for a long time, and there are many well qualified surgeons in the field to help you. However there are also those scammers that aren't even qualified to cut your hair. These fly by nights may not even be there tomorrow and tell you great stories about how you can change some aspect of your appearance right now. You may find later they are gone, and the swelling they said was normal looks worse than what you had before the surgery. Many find bad cosmetic surgery this way.

Like any important matter, when it comes to cosmetic surgery, you will want to get a number of opinions. Often the best place to start is with your own physician. When considering any cosmetic surgery, you need to be sure you are healthy and in good physical condition. Otherwise you may find bad results in cosmetic surgery as a result of complications. Your physician should know your health, and may also have some good referrals for reliable and competent cosmetic surgeons as well.

Keep in mind, when you have any procedure done, scars can be created. There are many certifications and qualifications for those that know what they are doing. When shopping for procedures and other information on your options, ask for credentials (even from those your doctor refers). Make sure they are legit and have a good track record with other patients. This is one way to avoid bad cosmetic surgery.

In the field of cosmetic surgery there are many claims. Good and bad cosmetic surgery locations may use the same language. Just like at a car lot you may hear many good things about how great you will look after they are done. Make sure to ask what are the potential side-effects and complications. The more you ask, the less likely you are to be marred by bad cosmetic surgery.

Keep in mind that bad cosmetic surgery happens all the time and nearly everywhere. Scary but true, even by those that are highly qualified on occasion. Anyone saying things are 100% guaranteed to turn out perfect should be disregarded, as these claims are too good to be true. Complications can arise that cause bad cosmetic surgery, and anyone saying there aren't risks is likely overconfident and a liar.

Once you have your choices down to a list, it would still be wise to consult your usual physician before electing for cosmetic surgery as they might know more about those that you want to choose. They may also have other patients that had bad cosmetic surgery and be able to save you the experience.

Further you will probably want to do some outside checking with the various organizations that represent cosmetic surgeons to be sure your choice is well qualified. You might find the one choice you like is a fraud, or the perfect choice. Get validation though and you should be able to avoid bad cosmetic surgery.

Back to like any important matter that can affect the rest of your life. Be complete, thorough, and with many opinions before deciding on one. This can save you a lot of pain from bad cosmetic surgery.

Plastic Surgery Statistics

The growth in cosmetic plastic surgery is not limited to the shores of the UK. People all over the world choose this type of surgery to amend facial or body features about themselves. Long gone are the days when one was forced to accept there birth features for better or for worse. Nowadays plastic surgery transplants are also being carried out on young people.

Plastic surgery of course is not an operation that should be taken light heartedly. The pleasure of seeing ones body change into something more desirable or to your own liking, does not come without its costs and body discomfort during the healing process. It is therefore paramount that any such surgery is only taken out after thorough consideration. Where possible it is also wise to accept advice from those close to you, as there maybe alternative methods that could work out just as effectively. For example in the instance surgery is sought to help reduce weight a proper diet that is followed could just as well do the trick without the financial costs involved in surgery. Also do not forget plastic surgery does require aftercare and depending on the type of plastic surgery you intent carrying out, this could be a number of months.

So how many people actually carry out plastic surgery each year and what type of surgery do they undertake?

Well in 2006 over 11.5 million cosmetic surgery procedures were carried out in the United States of America alone, a 447 per cent increase in the amount of plastic surgery operations carried out in 1997.The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's cosmetic surgery statistics are the most comprehensive collection of data available on the number of cosmetic surgical and no surgical procedures performed in the United States

Below is a breakdown of the 11.5 million plastic surgery operations carried out.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures

The top five most popular surgical procedures in 2006 include:

· Liposuction - 403,684

· Breast augmentation - 383,886

· Eyelid surgery - 209,999

· Abdominoplasty - 172,457

· Breast Reduction - 145,822

Cosmetic Non-Surgical Procedures

· Over 8 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, which require no surgery, were performed in 2006.

· The top five most popular non-surgical procedures in 2006 include:

· Botox - 3.1 million

· Hyaluronic Acid (Hylaform, Restylane) - 1.5 million

· Laser hair removal - 1.4 million

· Microdermabrasion - 993,071

· Laser Skin Resurfacing - 556,172

Non-Cosmetic Plastic Surgeries

· In 2006 over five million reconstructive surgeries were performed.

· The top five reconstructive plastic surgeries in 2006

· Tumor Removal - 3.9 million

· Laceration Repair - 312,844

· Scar Revision - 164,684

· Hand Surgery - 155,810

· Breast Reduction - 104,455

Ethnicity

· People of color accounted for approximately 23 percent of cosmetic procedures in 2006.

· Hispanics - 8% in 2006. The top three requested procedures for Hispanics in 2006:

· Breast Augmentation

· Nose Reshaping

· Liposuction

African-Americans - 7% of African-Americans got procedures in 2006; The top three requested procedures for African-Americans in 2006 were, nose reshaping, liposuction and breast reduction

Asian-Americans - 6% of Asians got procedures in 2006; the top three requested procedures for Asian-Americans in 2006 were nose reshaping, breast Augmentation, eyelid Surgery

According to cosmetic surgery statistics, a growing number of the cosmetic surgeons practicing today are unqualified for the procedures that they perform. Routine cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are sometimes messed up, with horrifying results. Just imagine your friend going in for a breast reduction or a tummy tuck, and never coming out alive. It is important to research any major decision that you are making, but cosmetic surgery statistics are unusually important.

Plastic surgery statistics

1. Lipoplasty (Liposuction) with 455,489 procedures performed, down five percent from last year. Interestingly, 21% of these procedures were ultrasound-assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)

2. Breast Augmentation with 364,610 procedures up nine percent from 2004. For the first time, we categorized saline vs. silicone augmentation. 83.4 percent of respondents used the saline device, 16.6 percent the silicone implant.

3. Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) came in third with 231,467 procedures down 20 percent from 2004

4. Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) is the forth most common procedure with 200,924 procedures performed, an increase of 21 percent over 2004

5. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) reported 169,314 procedures, up 12 percent from 2004.

Location and Fees

The above clearly shows plastic surgery is not something that is limited to the rich and famous. Where actually was all this plastic surgery carried out. Well again statistics showover forty-eight percent (48.3 percent) of cosmetic procedures in 2005 were performed in office-based facilities; 27.9 percent in freestanding surgicenters; and 23.8 percent in hospitals. Americans spent just under $12.4 billion on cosmetic procedures; $8.2 billion was for surgical procedures, and $4.2 billion was for nonsurgical procedures.

In conclusion, if you are considering a surgical or non-surgical procedure it is important that you consider your reasons for wanting the procedure, your expectations of the results the procedure may bring, as well as making sure that you have all the information you need to make a properly informed decision about whether to go ahead. As can be seen from the chart above, cosmetic plastic surgery can be expensive financially, let alone the recuperation time needed.

Plastic Surgeon - Helping Patients Boost Their Self-Esteem

A plastic surgeon can be vital to a person's self-esteem as they provide services to enhance appearance. Whether through non-surgical or surgical measures, theses surgeons can transform a person's outward appearance. A surgeon that has extensive experience providing services within a wide range of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures is the best solution for a successful outcome of a procedure you are interested in.

In the area of plastic surgery, there are both psychological and physical benefits to getting this type of service. In the area of psychological benefits, plastic surgery tends to boost a person's self-esteem when they get body issues they may have been unhappy with, corrected. This can result in a person having a new social confidence that leads them to a better social life. In the area of physical benefits, for example, women who may have been unhappy with the fact that one of her breasts was larger than the other, can through surgery, begin to wear clothing and form fitting clothes they never dreamt possible.

Plastic surgery can also help a person live a more productive and happier life. When a person's confidence and self-esteem is raised, they tend to challenge themselves more, such as applying for a job they may have not otherwise. A person's, whose dream was to be a lifeguard but lacked the self-esteem to try out for the position, may have the confidence to do so once they have had plastic surgery to correct a body issue they were unhappy with. Some popular choices in plastic surgery procedures performed by a plastic surgeon that can significantly transform a person's appearance include:

• Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelift surgery
• Tummy tuck
• Facelift

There are also many non-surgical procedures you can get from a plastic surgeon that can completely transform your appearance such as a number of facial rejuvenation treatments such as BOTOX, hair removal treatments, laser skin rejuvenation treatments, and much more.

In order to get the best outcome from your cosmetic procedure, select your plastic surgeon carefully. The best way to do this is find information on their past work. Visit their website to learn of the patients that they have worked on previously to get an account of their level of skill. If you feel the surgeon is right to address your particular needs and desire in a cosmetic procedure, schedule a consultation. You can learn of all the details of the procedure so you can be prepared for the procedure in addition to sharing with your surgeon your expectations of the procedure.

Reasons Why You Should See a Cosmetic Dentist

If you have done everything possible to take care of your teeth and still wind up in need of treatment that will make your smile more appealing, maybe you should consider seeing a cosmetic dentist. This professional specializes in improving the way your teeth and smile look. They can provide different treatment options to help increase your overall satisfaction with your smile.

One commonly performed procedure that a cosmetic dentist provides is teeth whitening services. By using bleaching products and techniques, a patient's teeth can be made several shades brighter and whiter than they were previously. Many people take advantage of this service to improve the color of their teeth and to get rid of any unsightly stains.

A cosmetic dentist can also help patients who are missing one or more of their teeth. There are different prosthetics and procedures available that can replace the missing teeth. Common replacements are dentures, implants and other prosthetics which all can give you a new set of realistic looking teeth. Keep in mind that some tooth replacements require that the patient undergo oral surgery. For instance, dental implants require oral surgery so the dental specialist can implant the screws into your gums and jaw bone for proper implant placement.

Since a this type of professional can do much to improve your appearance, it is important that you choose a professional you can trust. This means you may have to spend a little time doing some research to make sure that you choose the right professional for the job. Even if your primary dentist refers you to a cosmetic dentist, you should still check the professional's credentials and reputation.

Keep in mind that most dental procedures can be very expensive and most dental plans do not provide coverage for any procedures. It is an elective field and if you choose to take advantage of any procedures, you need to make sure that you have budgeted accordingly and have additional funding set up. Some dental providers have financing options available so you can afford more of their procedures and avoid having to delay any treatments.

If you are thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done, it is important that you talk to your dental professional first. They can provide you with information on any treatment you are looking to have and also refer you to the appropriate professionals if they are not qualified to perform your treatment. Remember. It is in your best interest to screen any professional you choose to do your treatment and you should always ask to see pictures of work they have performed on previous patients.

There is no reason why you have to walk around, hiding your teeth because you are embarrassed about your smile. It doesn't matter what the appearance of your teeth are, something can be done to make them more appealing. Contact your local cosmetic dentist and make an appointment to learn more on how you can get a more attractive smile.

Ways to Reduce Scar Tissue After Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a very popular branch of medicine these days. Yet as almost all plastic surgery involves the making of incisions, there is always the issue of scarring and scar tissue to deal with afterward. With some procedures like liposuction and certain types of breast augmentation, the incisions are so small that the amount of such tissue created is almost negligible.

Yet other procedures like tummy tucks, breast lifts, thigh lifts and other skin removing procedure will invariably create long scars, and as the wounds heal, some changes in the surrounding area may result in hardened and itchy skin.

Why Does It Occur?

Scar tissue is mainly made up of collagen, a naturally occurring substance in the skin. Its formation is simply the body's way of healing itself after trauma, yet it can lead to some problems in the future for some people.

How much of it develops is a matter of how big and deep the incisions were as well as how smoothly the skin fit together again after the sutures were placed. It is also determined by how old you are, what type of skin you have, and what your genes tell your skin to do. And while you may start to see and feel the development of some of them during the first few weeks or months after plastic surgery, they may continue to form for up to 18 months post-operation.

Is Prevention Possible?

No matter what you do there will be some scarring and the resultant problems. Otherwise the incisions would never close up. Yet there are a few things that are known to help reduce their amount when they develop.

For instance, under the direction of your doctor, you can give heat to the incisions periodically and gently massage the scar lines to improve blood flow to the area. If your scars are on a part of the body that can be moved and exercised, regular movement, stretching, and exercise can actually help keep the area more flexible and keep down the formation of scar tissue.

In terms of the appearance of scars, many people recommend the application of creams and lotions, like triple antibiotic ointment and vitamin E lotions.

How Can You Do Away With It?

There are some surgeries that can remove it. But there is always the possibility of more forming. You should consult your cosmetic surgeon if you have concerns about too much scar tissue.

Cosmetic Surgeon Videos - Informative Tools

In this day and age, the most difficult thing in the world to find is a person that does not want to look aesthetically good. We live in a superficial, self-conscious world where just about every single man and woman tries desperately to change their appearance. Most of these people have no qualm about spending inordinate amounts of money on cosmetic surgery for the sole reason of looking just a little bit better.

Getting cosmetic surgery is a very difficult and important decisions, and people looking for this kind of surgery usually have a lot of questions like when and where this surgery will be done, or how the surgery is actually performed. In this situation, where consumers are always asking questions before a purchase, cosmetic surgeons are finding it rewarding to create online cosmetic surgeon videos to help their clients out.

For example, let's take a lady who wants to get a nose job done. She has a two-fold problem. Her first problem is that her nose is extremely out of proportion with the rest of her face. She felt, quite literally, like she was all nose and no face. The other problem is that this nose issue causes her to constantly have sinus issues, which often results in painful headaches, breathlessness and in some cases, vomiting. The migraine like headaches she would get would debilitate her to such an extent that she sometimes couldn't even find the energy to get up and walk around. This is about the time that her friend suggests that she goes online and watches a few cosmetic surgeon videos on nose jobs to find out exactly what is involved, risk factors, and even details on the entire procedure.

When she finally took her friends advice and went online in search of cosmetic surgeon videos, she had no idea what she was getting into. Some parts of the video made her queasy and she felt as if she would not able to go through with the procedure. However, the video was so informative and went into so much detail, that she actually felt relieved rather than scared after viewing it. Not only this, but she felt as if she already formed a bond with the doctor she was viewing on the video before even meeting in an actually office. All of this helped in giving her the courage to call up and find out if everything she watched in the cosmetic surgeon videos were true.

Finally, the woman got around to meeting the doctor in the video. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the doctor was just as cordial as he was in the video. The doctor was very easy to talk to and comforted her, finally giving her the courage to go through with the surgery. Though the cosmetic surgeon videos frightened her a little at first, she was able to come to terms with the procedure because she realized that she would actually be killing two birds with one stone. Once she was convinced, she made an appointment and went through with the surgery without any hesitation.

Are OTC Creams Effective Against Dark Spots?

Sharon, my childhood friend just celebrated her 45th birthday last week. We were discussing about some of our frustrations and she mentioned about the dark patches on her face and hands.

She talked about how she used to spend her summers at the pool oogling at the cute boys while soaking up the sun. I'm not surprised that all those hours in the sun could be the reason for her current skin problem.

My friend chose to use an OTC fade cream to improve her condition. She mentioned that it has alpha hydroxy acid and that is why she bought it. However, she has yet to see any improvement on her spots.

The ideal treatment would be cosmetic surgery. However, that is not an option with her current financial situation. I can tell she still have hopes in finding an OTC remedy to fade her dark spots. So, is there really a product that works in getting rid of sun spots?

Many skin specialist believe that the creams you buy at the store are not potent enough to effectively get rid of brown spots. It doesn't surprise me that they have such low regards for it though. Unlike medications, OTC products don't have to go through rigorous testing before they can go on the market.

Mild treatments will not be effective on age spots that are the result of sun damage. A majority of doctors will recommend laser resurfacing especially when it comes to a full facial treatments. Here are some examples of such treatments: Sciton tunable erbium laser, DOT Co2 and Fraxel Restore Dual. GentleLase laser, IPL (intense pulse light) and Q-switched Yag laser is generally used of spot treatments. You want a cheaper option to laser, there is liquid nitrogen.

It is a sad fact that the success rate of OTC skin lightening products are quite low. Lots of hyped up marketing but most don't do what they claim. On the other hand, the Obagi System seems to surpass people's expectations. Even some dermatologists recommend it. What I'm hearing is that it really helps with skin damaged skin and makes your skin look amazing enough for other people to notice a difference.

Obagi Nu-Derm System uses both tretinoin and hydroquinone to visibly lighten age spots. The combination of ingredients found in the various products work synergistically to clarify your skin. This way is not super expensive. In fact, it is cheaper than other cosmetic treatments that treat serious pigmentation conditions. Furthermore, its results are backed by medical science.

Do not think the only sure way for you is through laser treatment. The Obagi System might exceed your expectation but you must first carry out their directions with exactness.

The purpose of hydroquinone in the Obagi system is to lighten the areas that have pigmentation problems. It works by hindering your skin's ability to produce melanin. With hydroquinone, your skin is prevented from synthesizing melanin because it blocks the enzyme needed for the process. Apart from that, it also has cytotoxic effects on melanoctyes. It can damage these pigment producing cells. You need to be patient as the fading process does take some time.

Studies show that the prolonged usage of hydroquinone can cause toxicity. Some countries have already banned its inclusion in OTC products altogether.

What is the FDA's take on it? Well, they allow you to use it but not more than 3 months straight. The bad news is that it is too short a period to really know whether it is having any effect on your skin or not. The more severe your skin damage, the more time you'll need. Definitely it will take more than 3 months for your brown spots to fade if they were caused by countless years of sun bathing.

You don't have to rely on hydroquinone alone. When combined with vitamin C, retinol creams and glycolic acid, you have a more powerful treatment plan. These other ingredients can easily be found in skin care creams and serums. Eventually, you may observe your skin tone evening out. The gentle exfoliation by these products will allow hydroquinone to penetrate deeper. Just remember that it will take some time to see the reduction of the dark spots. Still, in the end, it really cannot top what laser treatments can do. Maybe, you can approach your problem with laser and support that with other types of skin treatments such as face peels, microdermabrasion or even natural solutions.

If the OTC products fail to remove sunspots, then you need an aggressive treatment option. Retin A and hydroquinone are very effective but are usually available only through prescription. Some people's skin may not be able to stand hydroquinone. It could get irritated. In that case, tretinoin cream may be more suitable. It is found to be effective in fading these spots.

Not all dermatologist are of the opinion that creams containing 4% hydroquinone can effectively clear the skin of spots. It all comes down to how badly your skin have been damaged by the sun.

Therefore, it would be in your best interest to get the opinion of a credible dermatologist with vast experience in your type of skin problem. Do this before you decide on a treatment plan. Do you know for sure if your spots are not an indication of a more serious underlying condition?

Years of sun bathing can increase the risk of skin cancer. Dark spots in itself do not pose a health risk. It doesn't spread like cancer. What you should know is that the spots, like any other cells, can turn cancerous later on. There is no medical problem when it is just hyperpigmentation. What the sun does to your skin is the problem. The dangerous rays of the sun is what causes changes to your skin.

Your health insurance should cover the expenses involved in this type of skin evaluation. You can file your insurance for a medical dermatology visit. You don't have to pay a lot for consultation. So even if the money has to come out of your own pocket, it is still affordable.

If you are fortunate enough to find an OTC skin brightener that works for you, try not to let any more new brown spots emerge. You need to minimize sun exposure. You need a good sunblock lotion with at least SPF 30. Make sure it is broad-spectrum. Even if the blotches have faded, you must continue to use sunblock rigorously. Let's say you managed to solve your skin problem. With continued sun exposure, it is likely your age spots will return. Believe what I'm saying here. You'll appreciate how the sunblock helps your skin's complexion after you've used it for some time. Your skin will be the prove of that. If left alone, untreated brown spots can fade a little by themselves. That doesn't mean you can be lazy. How hard can it be to put on sunblock lotion? Do it.