Toronto Cosmetic Surgeons

No doubt that we are living in tough times, not only economically speaking but psychologically too. People need to be listened to and understood, people need attention and a shoulder to lean on.  As someone who has once successfully underwent a cosmetic surgery procedure, be it invasive or not, feeling bonded to the cosmetic surgeon is important.

If you managed to build rapport with the patient, then it’s absolutely imperative to maintain that relationship and go beyond it.  As a surgeon, consider your cosmetic patient as someone dear to you; envision him/her as more than a patient. First of all, the patient has a heart, has feelings and building a solid bridge between you and him is a must for a long term relationship.

Why patients don’t come back to you?

The main reason why some patients don’t return is not that they had a bad outcome or they were unhappy. When I interviewed them for my book, I discovered that they leave because of your indifference. If you ignore your patients, they will search for other plastic surgeons. Your patients want to be treated as people first. So, take your time or ask someone from your staff to keep in touch with them. They want to know what is new in the world of cosmetic enhancement, with you and with your practice, so stay in touch.

The goldmine from your cosmetic surgery practice

Did you know that you have a gold mine in your own office? I am sure that all your patients’ contact details were added into a database for certain purposes, including marketing maybe? Do you realize that this is one of your main assets? Your past and present cosmetic surgery patients brought you a great deal of your profits; they are the reason of your good reputation. But do you know how to explore this fantastic goldmine?

In this tough economic climate, marketing your practice has become a necessity more than ever and why not use what you already have? Maintaining rapport with your existing cosmetic patients is the key. Repeat contact with fewer aesthetic patients rather than just with dozens of total strangers.

This is not the time to spend your money on a new advertising campaign. Attracting new leads to your practice might not be the best solution. You will need a very well focused campaign to bring only the qualified prospects. So, it’s the moment to concentrate on those who already know you since they are more apt to respond to your promotional efforts. Use evidence based patient marketing tools to wake up your sleeping patients and get them visiting and referring.

Proven strategies to keep in touch with your cosmetic surgery patients

From our experience, we would like to share with you a few of the best practices we’ve tried ourselves. There are many methods to maintain a close relationship with your patients and we do not intend to cover all possibilities. Today we will focus on the "keep in touch" strategies that can increase the number of surgical procedures.

Keep in touch online

The more you can bond with the patients virtually, the more likely they are to visit you. So, keep in touch with monthly messages and periodic offers so when they are ready for aesthetic enhancement, they turn to you since you’ve been such a great resource to them.

A few online tools to stay in touch with your existing patients are:

The e-mail

- teach your staff to always require the patients’ email address and add it into your database

- be sure to get the patient’s agreement to send him/her emails

- use it to send feedback anytime a patient requires an answer from you by email

- send invitation to events by email

- send birthday cards with special gift offer

- send an email of appreciation for multiple referrals

The e-newsletter

- is something very common to a web savvy patient

- it requires the patient’s self will to register, so it is not spam

- it can be used as a method to educate your own patients about the new trends in cosmetic surgery, about the new technology you use or others

Your blog

- have appealing articles written on your blog

- engage your patients to provide feedback on their cosmetic surgery procedure

- initiate contests on your blog, such as: sharing your cosmetic surgery experience will bring you more cosmetic enhancement

Your website

- ask for testimonials from your patients

- provide incentives for your cosmetic surgery patients

- provide online patient education that needs registering

Keep in touch by phone

First of all, you should find a good reason why to call. Nobody wants to receive an annoying call that smells like a sale. Here are a few occasions when calling would be more appropriate:

- to thank them for a referral

- to invite them to an open office day or to any other special events you organize

- to ask them how they feel a few weeks after they went home following the procedure

- to ask for permission to send them a promotional gift

Keep in touch by direct mail

Mail is another method to keep in touch with your cosmetic surgery patients and send them regular information with little costs. By mail you can send:

- personal notes with your hand written signature

- promotional fliers

- little gifts

- letters of invitation

- thank you letters

Keep in touch by organizing events

You can hold an annual patient appreciation day for your patients and their family and friends. Make it an event by serving wine and hors d’oeuvres and have drawings for free and discounted services.

And a final tip to hold on to your patients

Sometimes, keeping in touch with cosmetic surgery patients can be difficult if you don’t have a sound reason. That is why it is recommended to make notes of your patients’ important interests so that you recall them later. A physician told me that he always kept a note of the last thing a patient said when he left the office. So, during the next visit, commenting on that last topic helped them develop rapport and a sense of continuity in his doctor-patient relationship.

Catherine Maley, MBA, is the author of the book carried by ASPS called Your Aesthetic Practice: What Your Patients Are Saying, a noted speaker and regularly contributing editor to numerous medical trade journals, and was recently interviewed by the New York Times. Ms. Maley founded Cosmetic Image Marketing in 2000 and her firm specializes in helping physicians gain more aesthetic patients. Visit www.CosmeticImageMarketing.com or call 1 (877) 339-8833.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/hold-on-to-your-cosmetic-surgery-patients-995689.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.30.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

“I had only heard of makeovers; but after coming to India I have myself become a live example of one!

It is only after my Breast augmentation surgery that I have started feeling like a complete woman. Now I know what it is to have curls and curves! I thank Indicure from the bottom of my heart for giving me confidence in myself and bringing back the feeling of self worth.

My name is Samantha and I am 21year old from New Jersey, USA.

I was really lean since my childhood. My friends and my colleagues teased me, called me names and what not.  It was still alright till adolescence but I became really conscious of my thinness and my straight body after that. It was so much so that I didn’t have a friend, leave alone a boyfriend! I hated my body and everybody else around me as well.

It was then that my mother decided that I needed some intervention and we consulted several doctors in the US who told us about cosmetic surgery and its benefits. While the options seemed wonderful, the charges for them were enormous and beyond our reach.

I started searching on internet and came across Indicure’s site. I approached them and everything just seemed to fall in place after that. My case manager Shweta gave me detailed information about all the procedures and also told me that “Of all plastic surgery procedures, breast surgeries result in the quickest body-image changes”. I believe that was the turning point of my life!

I was given all the information beforehand and the charges were also so affordable. Initially I was little skeptical and had several doubts in my mind, but all my doubts were listened patiently and cleared to my satisfaction. Finally I landed in Delhi for my breast augmentation surgery.

Everything was so well planned. There was no waiting time at all and I was taken straight to the hospital from the airport. The doctor was so nice and cooperative and understood my apprehensions about the surgery and reassured me. He explained me the whole process and even gave me a lot of handy material related to my surgery.

The hospital was impeccably clean and things were very hygienic. The whole staff was warm and friendly and never made me feel like a patient, I felt more like a guest. Finally the doctor operated on me and I got what I was looking for!

I am really pleased with the results and feel normal now. The whole experience was so good that I would recommend Indicure to all the people planning to get a cosmetic surgery done” are the words of a young woman from America after her breast augmentation surgery.

For more information about Breast augmentation, visit www.indicurecosmeticsurgery.com or www.indicure.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/i-feel-so-confident-i-should-have-done-it-before-american-after-breast-augmentation-surgery-in-new-delhi-india-1000632.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.29.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

The world of plastic and cosmetic surgery has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry in recent years. The abundance of demand for enhancement and augmentation has also been mirrored by an abundance of supply – the number of plastic surgeons and clinics offering cosmetic or plastic procedures has risen at a stellar rate, one which unfortunately has meant that not all offering the service have the proper credentials to be performing such delicate operations, and many people wanting surgery are unwisely seeking cheaper procedures offshore.

This is why if you have decided that you want cosmetic enhancement, such as breast enlargement or augmentation finding a board certified plastic surgeon is a must.

What is meant by ‘board certified’?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the largest organization specializing in plastic surgery in the world. It was established in order to provide consistently high standards and to regulate the plastic surgery industry. When a surgeon is board certified, it means that they have completed a plastic surgery residency – a minimum of three years on top of their surgical studies which is usually around six years. They will then have to pass the board examination in order for them to be eligible for board certification.

It is important to note that cosmetic and plastic surgery are two different disciplines, so a cosmetic surgeon may be qualified to practice without being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If you are looking for a plastic surgeon though, it is essential to go with a certified practitioner because you know that there is a regulatory body behind them with extremely high standards that members must maintain.

Board certified practitioners should not cost any more than other qualified surgeons, as competition will keep prices within a reasonably stable medium. Just be wary of surgeons offering procedures far below the average – you will find that most that do are not certified.

Board certification, whilst an important first step, should not be the only requirement you look for in a practitioner. Specialisation in cosmetic enhancement and augmentation is extremely important when finding a surgeon for breast enlargement or any other procedure, as some plastic surgeons are not specialised in these areas, rather in reconstruction and post-accident surgery such as skin graphing etc. You should approach your search as you would approach finding any other health care professional – after all, you wouldn’t go to an stomach specialist for a chest infection.

Finding a certified surgeon in your area

Finding a certified surgeon close to you shouldn’t be too hard, in fact the American Board of Plastic Surgery has made it super easy – they have a referral page on their website which allows you to search surgeons by their locale. They also allow you to search surgeons by surname – so if you have found a surgeon but are not sure if they are certified you can check discreetly online.

Finding the right plastic surgeon for your procedure is they key step to finding the new you – so make sure you do your research, and find a board certified plastic surgeon.

When you are ready to find a plastic surgeon there are many resources on the Web. Try the L.W. Gatz directory to find a plastic surgeon in your area!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/find-a-great-plastic-surgeon-1001124.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.29.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

Bruce Jenner is known to many people as an Olympic hero. In the 1976 Olympic Games, Jenner broke the world record for points when he won the decathlon. In a gesture that has since been emulated by many athletes, a bystander handed him an American flag and he held it high as he ran his victory lap, cementing his place in the hearts of many viewers.

In the thirty plus years since the Olympics, Jenner has become a spokesman for Wheaties cereal and appeared on many television shows, most notably Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which he stars in with his wife and children. What has come to light recently has been Jenner’s past plastic surgery mishaps and his recent procedure to correct failed facelift operations.

Over twenty five years ago, Jenner went against the advice of doctors and had a facelift and rhinoplasty. The result was far from what he had expected. While Jenner was certainly not disfigured or horribly scarred, his appearance changed rather dramatically, sparking a flurry of rumours over the years, ranging from horrific surgery tales to the rumour that he was burned while fleeing a burning house with his family. The truth is far less dramatic.

Jenner received an ill advised partial face lift as well as rhinoplasty. He has never spoken publicly about the surgery, and refused until recently to publicly acknowledge the incident. That all changed recently, however, when Jenner decided to have reconstructive cosmetic surgery to repair the results of his former surgery. The results were revealed on his television show with his supportive wife and children by his side. Daughter Kim called the episode “heartfelt” and stated that viewers gained an insight into how the initial procedure affected Bruce Jenner throughout the years.

There is little doubt that cosmetic surgery is popular among stars. When you put your face and body in the right hands and listen to the advice of a qualified surgeon, the results can be remarkable. The tiniest changes can produce remarkably dramatic results. Bruce Jenner had the unfortunate experience to go against surgical advice, and he lived with the results for over two decades. The world finally has a chance to see the new and improved Bruce, and his family seems more than impressed by the results. Whether you know him for his acting or his Olympic heroism, there is little doubt that it is excellent to see Bruce Jenner looking so good and healthy again.

Leonard Dawson is a freelance article writer who writes for Cosmetic Surgery Guru about current issues, technology and news within the cosmetic surgery market.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/bruce-jenner-undergoes-corrective-cosmetic-surgery-988663.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.24.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

When it comes to celebrities, it can be a bit of a guessing game to determine who has had plastic surgery. Even when surgery is painfully obvious, many celebrities choose to deny that they have had any work done, instead claiming that diet and exercise alone has added two cup sizes, thinned out an awkward nose, or removed years of excess body fat overnight. There is no doubt that plastic surgery is popular, and why shouldn’t it be? One thing that caught many people by surprise, however, was when supermodel Cindy Crawford admitted that the beauty of her skin was due to cosmetic surgeons.

When we think of supermodels, we think of pure natural grace and beauty. What many people do not expect, however, is for these beautiful women to ever age. Looking at most supermodels, you would think that the ageing process skips them entirely, and that is what makes Crawford’s revelation so appealing to people.

When most people look at a woman like Cindy Crawford, they wonder what great genes she must have or what expensive products she must use to stay so beautiful. Crawford debunked that myth, letting women know that even supermodels age and get sagging skin. She admits that she owes the tightness and elasticity of her skin to a very skilled team of cosmetic surgeons as well as to Botox and other products. While with many celebrities, this might seem like uneventful news, it has helped to break that inhuman perception many people have of supermodels, instead showing that they are indeed just like the rest of us.

Cindy Crawford is still a natural beauty, but knowing that even she experiences the signs of ageing is strangely comforting to many people. It also helps to show the benefits of cosmetic procedures such as Botox and the effect they can have on the skin. The truth is that if Crawford had never admitted to the procedures, we would likely still wonder if she simply had genes that the rest of us only dreamed of. That may be true to some degree, but Crawford is living proof that even supermodels age…and she admits it.

Ageing is nothing to be ashamed of, and neither is cosmetic surgery. We all desire to look a bit younger or a bit shapelier. With the right cosmetic surgeon and the right attitude, you can follow in Crawford’s footsteps and gracefully combat the effects of ageing on your skin.

Leonard Dawson is a freelance article writer who writes for Cosmetic Surgery Guru about current issues, technology and news within the cosmetic surgery market.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/cindy-crawford-admits-plastic-surgeons-help-keep-her-beautiful-979189.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.21.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

The idea of cosmetic surgery usually appears flawless from the outside. Models with aquiline noses and perfect bodies give you testimonials of how surgery has helped them reinvent their lives and begin anew. But there are many hard facts to confront when considering cosmetic surgery: psychological, financial and medical factors being the most important amongst these.

Building Awareness

Before even considering cosmetic surgery, you need to be aware of the fact that the advertisements used to sell cosmetic surgery are not always genuine. The models being used to advertise the surgery are not always people who have actually undergone that surgery with the cosmetic surgeon in question. ‘Before and after‘ advertisement photographs are easily ‘photoshopped’ to perfection; or altered so that they appear flawless. The testimonials used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the surgery may be fabricated. as someone considering cosmetic surgery, you need to separate the possible benefits of the surgery from the sales pitch and marketing efforts surrounding it, that make it seem so rosy.

Understanding the Risks

Any surgery places you at some amount of risk and you need to be wary of a surgeon who confidently promises you that there are no dangers involved and that satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Cosmetic surgeries could very often go wrong, and in the absence of any regulation, surgeons are often injecting and feeding toxins, injections and creams to your body that have not been approved by any authority. Creams may seem harmless since they do not appear to involve any invasion into the body, but they could have side-effects that are detrimental. Most such creams and injections achieve the desired result rapidly, making them very attractive to surgeons - but there has not been adequate scientific study practiced on many of them to guarantee basic levels of safety when they are used on consumers.

Cosmetic surgeries are often not considered as ‘serious’ as other surgeries - such as a procedure on the kidney, for example. Fatality rates are low, but the very fact that a ‘non-serious’ surgery can result in one makes it vitally important to do enough homework before selecting your surgeon. It is a good idea to consider asking your regular physician to refer you to a cosmetic surgeon. It is important that you are in good physical condition and reasonably fit before considering cosmetic surgery and your regular doctor can help you decide if you are physically ready for an intervention.

Before selecting a cosmetic surgeon, you should:

•Verify his or her qualifications and experience.

•Make sure you check that the important-sounding alphabets that follow their names are real qualifications; check the Institute they are supposed to have gained their qualifications from.

•It is also important to check back within the larger cosmetic surgeon community. Verify with an association or with other doctors whether the surgeon you are considering approaching for treatment is trusted and well-respected.

•Try to speak with other patients that he/she has worked on.

Once you have selected your surgeon, you need to make sure he or she gives you all the information you need to feel reassured or confident about undergoing the surgery. Many surgeons will omit to mention the potential side-effects of surgery - such as scars or other permanent features - that they are afraid might put the patient off the procedure. They will most likely tell you the very minimum that you need to know and tell you merely “not to worry”. It is important to be forceful in demanding crucial information and always advisable to consider getting a second opinion from another cosmetic surgeon. Consider keeping your physician in the loop, both by sharing information that your cosmetic surgeon gives you as well as checking about the possible reactions that your body might have to certain procedures.

The Financial Aspect

Another factor to consider while debating the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery is the financial aspect. Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular as people are spurred on by reports of celebrities undergoing various interventions to further perfect their features, but it is still expensive. What many potential candidates for surgery fail to consider is that surgery could very easily go wrong; creating a need for corrective surgery. It is important to consider that the surgery might not go according to plan, and consciously factor this into your financial calculations.

Julia is a skin specialist. Her interests vary from food, diet to skin care and anti aging related treatments. Here are her articles on skin care and cosmetic treatments including lifestyle lift and facelift

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/what-to-consider-when-youre-considering-cosmetic-surgery-979282.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.20.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

Face Lift surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures all over the globe. It is considered to be one of the most effective procedures to turn the clock back on your face. Over the years, the face lift procedure has evolved from a simple skin lift to the more complex deeper plane lift thus increasing the popularity.

According to American Society of Plastic surgeons 112,933 people opted for Face lift surgery in the 2008 in the US alone making it the sixth most popular procedure. Not only in United States, face lift is being opted for a large number of people world wide to rejuvenate their appearance and make them look young.

Although a lot of literature is written about Face Lift surgery on the internet, no one can replace a surgeons’ opinion about your results for the Face lift surgery. But it is always helpful to know as much as possible about the procedure you are looking for before going in for a first consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

Some important facts one should know before going in for a face lift surgery are:

• Face lift corrects many things to improve appearance which include sagging in the midface, deep creases below the lower eyelids, deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth, fat that has fallen or is displaced, loss of muscle tone in the lower face that may create jowls, loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw that can make even a person of normal weight appear to have a double chin
• Face Lift is a restorative surgery; it does not and should not change your fundamental appearance
• The aim of a face lift is to enhance your appearance to make you look younger. It should not produce a tight mask-like looking face but should keep the natural animated appearance.
• Unlike injectables and fillers, which last for several months, face lift lasts for more than 10 years.
• A face lift rejuvenates the lower two-thirds of your face.
• To rejuvenate upper third, you may have to consider eyelid surgery and forehead lift.
• Most scars from a face lift are hard to see once they heal. Scars will extend from above your ear, down the front of your ear, around your ear lobe, up the back of your ear, and into your hairline behind your ear.
• Numbness, swelling, and even some discoloration of the skin is likely to last for up to two weeks after the surgery.
• Wait for two to three months after a chemical peel or laser resurfacing of your cheeks before you have a face lift
• You must stop smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery.
• You must stop taking aspirin and aspirin products at least two weeks before surgery.
• Make sure you tell your surgeon whatever drugs you are taking. You should never stop taking any medication abruptly without first speaking to your doctor.

To know more about Face Lift surgery, log onto http://www.indicurecosmeticsurgery.com/face-lift.html or http://www.indicure.com/face_lift.html or write to drruchika.m@gmail.com

Sonia is a content writer with Indicure and writes extensively about health care and health issues on the internet.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/all-you-should-know-before-going-in-for-a-face-lift-surgery-979642.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.20.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

Since you can remember, you have put so much effort into trying to lose the stubborn fatty bulges around your stomach. No matter what you do, the loose skin from your pregnancies or weight loss won’t go away, causing you to feel self-conscious and sometimes, unattractive.

You don’t have to give up – there is a way to get a smoother and shapelier torso. If you’re ready to see results, tummy tuck surgery may be your answer. Tummy tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, is designed to contour, flatten and firm the abdominal region.

By having a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are surgically removed from the abdominal region. The underlying muscles are also tightened, which creates a slimmer contour. Tummy tuck also helps define the waist. Although this procedure can be beneficial, it is considered to be a major surgery. This means that not everyone makes a good candidate.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, here are a few things you should know about this procedure.

1. The main purpose of tummy tuck surgery is to change the shape of the body and that it does not result in weight loss. In other words, tummy tuck procedures are performed to enhance body shape, not create a perfect body. Patients need to set realistic expectations for themselves and be careful not to think that having tummy tuck will be an answer to dieting and exercising.
2. Tummy tuck surgery requires a long incision, which means you may be left with a scar after recovery. The scar is typically covered by underwear or swimming suits and become faint overtime.
3. If your fatty deposits or excess skin is concentrated below your belly button, a mini tummy tuck might be a good option for you. Mini tummy tuck requires a smaller incision and the consequent scar is much smaller than that of a full tummy tuck.
4. If you are a smoker, it is recommended to quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Smoking prolongs recovery and increases the risks of complications.
5. When tummy tuck is combined with liposuction, it might bring out desired results. Your plastic surgeon will advise you if combining liposuction with tummy tuck is right for your needs.
6. It is a good idea to speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon about tummy tuck or about alternatives, to make sure you go through the procedure that’s right for you. Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have the necessary knowledge and training background in dealing with tummy tuck and other cosmetic surgery procedures.
7. Tummy tuck results can last a long time if you stay active and eat right. Excessive weight gain after the procedure can cause your skin tissues to stretch and create bulges.

Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon about the advantages and disadvantages of having a tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon can advise you on your options, inform you about the risks, recovery time and provide you with details about the procedure. You should also keep in mind that with tummy tuck or any major surgical procedure, recovery times may be lengthy and it may limit daily routines and activities.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/what-you-should-know-about-tummy-tuck-979843.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.19.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

With over 12 million plastic surgery procedures performed in 2008, you might be thinking – “Why has plastic surgery become so popular over the years?” Although reasons differ by the individual, there are a few common themes that explain why people get plastic surgery.

Not too long ago, plastic surgery was not so common and people didn’t have a choice on the way they looked. They had to live with body parts that made them unhappy, such as fat that didn’t go away with exercising, small breasts, flat buttocks, and flabby stomachs. In the past, these problems were known as vanity, but they lead to serious interpersonal problems, such as lack of confidence and self-esteem.

The main reason why people get plastic surgery nowadays is to boost their confidence and to feel better about themselves. Research shows that those who alter their bodies by following diet and exercise regimens are happier and more confident. Plastic surgery works in the same way. By altering a part or parts of your body that you dislike, you can be happier with your appearance, which reflects on your self-perception and esteem.

Another reason why people get plastic surgery is to correct or enhance the areas of their body that exercising and dieting cannot help. For example, exercising cannot correct droopy eyelids, a bump on your nose or make your breasts larger. Instead of living with something that bothers you, plastic surgery can give you aesthetic results that can make you a happier, more confident person.

The race against time also makes plastic surgery a popular option. Our bodies are aging every day, and as we get older, we often feel compelled to fight against the effects of aging. The motive behind this is that our personal image keeps us in line with our competition. It is a researched fact that the younger, more attractive people do better socially and professionally. This is why men and women are pursuing plastic surgery more than ever before to keep their competitive edge at the work place.

Others pursue plastic surgery to remedy post-pregnancy or post-traumatic issues. Many moms ask for tummy tuck, breast lifts or liposuction procedures to bring back their pre-pregnancy shape. Others who have dealt with body abnormalities from birth defects or trauma also turn to plastic surgery for bodily improvement.

No matter what your motivation behind plastic surgery is, before joining the millions of people on the journey to self-improvement, it is always advised to do your research and speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise. Only a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons can give you advice, recommendations and the successful results you need to look your best, under any circumstance.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/why-do-people-have-plastic-surgery-979846.html

toronto-cosmetic-surgeons :: Jun.19.2009 :: Plastic Surgery :: No Comments »

With massive weight loss, in a short period of time, patients are often left with a significant amount of excess skin.  Because of the rapid weight loss, the patient’s skin doesn’t “bounce back” adequately, resulting in a multitude of problems including problems with moisture, skin break down, hygiene and body image problems (aesthetic concerns).  This excess skin remains a reminder of the person’s past problem with obesity and limits the patient’s satisfaction with the weight loss he/she has achieved.  Although patients are often very pleased with the improvement in their medical issues (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) achieved after weight loss, they are still not happy when they look in the mirror.  Plastic surgical procedures after weight loss may help the patient achieve their goals and significantly improve their self-image.  It is important to work with a plastic surgeon with extensive experience due to the fact that treatment of the post-bariatric surgery patient is unique in that the patient’s skin elasticity has been permanently decreased, potentially resulting in faster recurrence of some of the patient’s presenting complaints.  Dr. Pousti has helped many patient’s in this situation.

As patients lose weight, their face and neck skin often show signs of weight loss often associated with aging.  They may notice loose skin of the eyelids, lower face (jowl) or neck area.  Face and neck lifting surgery help eliminate loose skin and the underlying muscle and fatty tissue.  The re-suspension of the tissues helps rejuvenate the face and neck area.

Many patients complain of “empty, droopy, saggy” breasts after weight loss – in fact, patients often say that they were happier with their breasts before weight loss than after (just like some patients are happier with their breast during pregnancy than after).  Most patients after massive weight loss, benefit from breast augmentation (saline or silicone gel breast implants) along with breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery.  The mastopexy operation serves to raise the nipple-areola complexes higher on the chest wall (by removing redundant or loose skin) while the breast augmentation serves to increase fullness of the breasts especially along the superior pole of the breasts.  Usually, after significant weight loss, both breast implants and breast lifting are required for optimal results.

Saline Implants
Saline implants have a silicone rubber shell that is inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. The implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle deflated and therefore, the incision used for this type of implant is minimal.  These implants can be overfilled to achieve a more rounded appearance. 

Saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference.  Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture.   Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.

Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have a silicone rubber shell that is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable and therefore, the incision used to place the silicone gel implant is larger than the incision needed for saline implants. The silicone gel implant cannot be overfilled – it comes in an exact size that cannot be manipulated.
Silicone implants vary in shell surface (smooth/textured), shape, profile, volume, shell thickness, and number of shell lumens.

Some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have.  If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants.  If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more natural result. 

As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery.

Plastic Surgery Societies Applaud the FDA’s Decision to Approve Silicone Breast Implants
For Immediate Release: November 17, 2006

Arlington Heights, Ill. (November 17, 2006) – The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the two largest plastic surgery membership organizations, applaud the FDA’s decision today to approve (manufacturer’s) silicone breast implants and return these devices to the U.S. market. This decision comes 14 years after the FDA restricted access to the silicone implants because of safety concerns. “This is a great day for American women and the plastic surgeons who care for them,” said Roxanne Guy, MD, ASPS president. “Silicone breast implants have been scrutinized more than any medical device, and we applaud the FDA for making its well thought-out decision and allowing American women to make informed choices about their health care.”

Patients will also often complain of loose skin of the abdomen and/or back areas.  The redundant folds of skin may be “depressing” to patients who have worked hard to drop their weight (and maintain it) only to be left with even looser skin.  Unfortunately, like the issues described above, these areas of excess skin do not improve despite the most rigorous diet and exercise schedule.  Ironically, the redundancy of skin may worsen despite patients’ best efforts.  Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery serve to remove the excess skin of the abdomen while tightening up the abdominal wall muscles.   This operation serves to improve the contour of the abdominal wall while the patient is standing, leaning over and sitting down.  At the same time, the pubic area (which is often of concern to patients after weight loss) may be reduced and “lifted”.  If the pubic area is not addressed during the abdominoplasty procedure, the patient often will be dissatisfied with the end result of surgery.

Often patients will complain of excess skin circumferentially at the level of the abdomen and lower back.  Lower body lifting and belt lipectomy procedures serve to remove redundant skin of the abdomen and back circumferentially – this operation serves to improve the contour of the buttocks, hips, thighs and abdomen.

Weight loss can leave loose or “hanging” skin of the upper arm, between the elbow and shoulder.  This area is addressed using the brachioplasty or arm lifting surgery.  One of the keys of this operation is to plan the resulting scar to fall at the lower edge of the arm so that the scar is not visible from the front or back view.  This operation may be extended to address the excess skin of the upper chest as well (upper body lift).

Patient often complain of extra skin of the thighs as well.  This area can be treated using the thigh lifting techniques.  A medial thigh lift will address the inner thighs while the lower body lift addresses the outer part of the thighs.

When considering any type of plastic surgery, choosing your surgeon is one the most important decisions a patient makes.  An astute patient will evaluate the doctor’s credentials, training, specific board certification and experience.  Before and after procedures, meeting with previous patients and reading patient testimonials may be useful.  Connection with the plastic surgeon is critical to individualize each patient’s case.  Safety is of primary concern and factors such as medical problems, age, exercise tolerance and length of surgery are some of the factors considered during the consultation.  Care must be taken not to attempt too much surgery simultaneously as this may result in complications.  During the office visits, the surgeon will get to know more about the patient’s health history as well as expectations and goals.  Patients are educated regarding the procedure, post-operative care and especially potential limitations and/or possible risks and complications of any planned procedure.

Dr. Pousti is well qualified to assist patients after massive weight loss.  He is board certified in General Surgery as well as Plastic Surgery and has been trained at some of the finest institutions in the United States.  He has been in private practice for over 12 years and has had the privilege of helping thousands of patients reaching their goals after significant weight loss. 

Dr. Tom Pousti is a La Jolla / San Diego Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon specializing in Reconstructive and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and is dedicated to restoring appearance, self-esteem, function, and quality of life to his patients. After 17 years of extensive medical and surgical training, Dr. Tom Pousti is double board certified in General Surgery as well as Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Pousti and his wife Marjan reside in San Diego with their three sons and daughter.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/plastic-surgeries-articles/plastic-surgery-after-weight-loss-975408.html

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