At bod:evolve in Denver, plastic surgery professional David R. Broadway, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs SmartLifting ™, a laser-assisted facelift procedure that helps improve the appearance of jowling in the chin and a lax neck area. When compared to traditional facelift surgery, some the benefits of SmartLifting include less surgery time, smaller incisions, faster recovery time, less bruising, and tighter skin. The laser energy stimulates collagen growth, which in turn provides patients with smoother, more refreshed facial skin. In addition, SmartLipo ™ can be combined with this procedure in order to remove stubborn fat cells from the neck region. This can help achieve a more defined jawline.

Men and women who are considering a facial plastic surgery procedure may browse Dr. Broadway’s website to learn more regarding SmartLifting in Denver. An initial consultation allows patients to discuss their desired results and have a personalized treatment plan created to meet their needs.

In order to correct these characteristics, women opt to undergo a combination of body enhancing procedure in what is called a “Mommy Makeover.” Typically, breast augmentation and/or breast lift surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and liposuction are performed to help women regain their pre-pregnancy body. Although plastic surgery was considered taboo in years past, there are now more women openly discussing their procedures. Some feel that undergoing body enhancing procedures gives them a boost in self-esteem, while others do it to gain an advantage in the workforce. It is also an increasing trend to see mothers in their late 30s to mid-40s undergo the surgeries – many of which have waited until their children are grown and/or in college.

You may learn more regarding these procedures on the website of Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Stuart A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S. He performs face, breasts, and body contouring surgeries to help patients achieve their ideal outcome.

As the rate of obesity is increasing, there is no wonder why liposuction has become more popular and has surpassed breast augmentation in numbers. Even as individuals attempt to lose weight the natural way – diet and exercise – there are certain areas of the body that do not respond well, if at all. Therefore, to remove stubborn fat deposits, a qualified plastic surgeon can perform liposuction and help patients achieve a more slender body contour. However, liposuction surgery is not a replacement for natural weight loss; this should be combined with a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain optimal results.

In San Diego, board certified plastic surgeon Carol Hollan, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs liposuction and breast augmentation surgery. She has the experience and training to provide patients with their desired outcome through these breast and body enhancing procedures. Further information regarding both surgeries is available on Dr. Hollan’s website.

From New York to Newport Beach, plastic surgery financing is sweeping the nation. Credit-conscious consumers balk at the notion of getting a loan for cosmetic work, but for others, the option to spread the costs of plastic surgery over several months is highly attractive. For one, plastic surgery financing can save you money by allowing you to get multiple procedures during a single visit, rather than coming back periodically whenever you have the cash. But as with all credit instruments, plastic surgery financing can be a double-edged sword. Take note of the following:

Your Credit History Matters

How much you’ll pay in interest for your plastic surgery financing depends on a number of factors, but your credit history is the biggest. If you have a history of delinquencies, low credit-to-debt ratio or a low credit score overall, you may end up with a higher interest rate, a smaller line of credit, and stricter terms.

Healthcare Credit is an Unsecured Loan

Financing breast augmentation, liposuction or other cosmetic surgery procedure will always be an unsecured loan. Why? Simple: the bank can’t repossess a tummy tuck or facelift. Because of the greater risk involved for the lender, unsecured loans will always carry higher interest rates and more stringent terms than secured loans. If you pay on time and don’t default, a secured loan could cost you less if you plan on carrying a balance beyond the interest-free promotional period. But if you default on a secured loan, you lose your collateral (i.e. your home or your car). Choose wisely.

Read the Fine Print

Many nationwide lenders that offer financing for plastic surgery offer zero percent or no interest financing. Make sure you read the fine print first, however. These offers typically require you to pay off the entire balance within a certain period of time, such as six months. If you fail to do so, you are levied an exorbitantly high interest rate – think 20 percent or more—on your balance dating back to the origination of the loan.

Bottom-line: Approach plastic surgery financing much like you’d get a new credit card offer in the mail. Shop around, make sure that the lender is reputable and crunch the numbers for the best and worst case scenarios in order to get a realistic idea of how much your credit will cost you.

As a non-surgical procedure, Botox ® injections have become a popular treatment amongst actresses and models in their 20s. While those in their late 30s and 40s are looking to rejuvenate their facial appearance, the younger stars are trying to keep up with the slew of teenage newcomers.

When injected into the target area, Botox temporarily paralyzes the underlying muscles that cause lines, wrinkles, and creases. Results typically last between four to six months and touch-up sessions are needed to maintain an optimal outcome. But what happens when patients start their treatments at an early age? Some doctors have said that there have been patients who build up an immunity to Botox and results are no longer seen. This means that a young model at 20 who gets regular Botox injections may end up with a wrinkled appearance by the time she is in her 30s anyway.

The best way to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for Botox injections, facelift surgery or other facial treatments is by visiting with a qualified plastic surgeon.

This renewed confidence and refreshed outlook on life is not atypical for men and women who receive extensive makeovers. The effect is particularly pronounced in women who have undergone hardship or sacrifice and are ready to begin a new chapter in their lives. Dr. Amy Bandy, a board certified Newport Beach plastic surgeon and reconstructive breast surgery specialist who offers several procedures including liposuction, sees the understated power of cosmetic transformation every day. For breast cancer survivors, feeling feminine and physically whole is an integral part of recovering from the emotional trauma that women face after losing their hair during chemotherapy or their breasts due to mastectomies. Breast reconstruction surgery, which may incorporate breast implants, can help cancer survivors reclaim their femininity and confidence in their bodies. Likewise, women whose bodies have undergone drastic changes due to childbirth, nursing and aging often choose to undergo a “Mommy Makeover” which can help reverse many of those changes and feel more like themselves.

The stories of Frances Baker and Laura Kennedy stand as proof that makeovers can help men and women transform themselves, inside and out.

Recently, doctors who claim to be qualified plastic surgeons have taken out ads to entice potential patients with low cost procedures. Unfortunately, these doctors have little to no training in the requested surgeries and cause undesirable results. Patients who experience complications post-surgery often end up undergoing reconstructive procedures. Along with added expenses, patients may have physical remnants of a sub par surgery, such as scarring and/or infection. For these reasons, it is highly recommended to thoroughly research the plastic surgeon, his/her practice, and the procedure itself. Becoming educated on the surgeon’s education, qualifications, certifications, and results is of utmost importance. In addition, visiting more than one doctor is greatly encouraged in order to learn of the various options available.

For example, George Alexander, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a qualified and experienced Las Vegas breast augmentation surgeon. He holds membership and board certification from several, credible plastic surgery societies, has performed breast surgery for more than 15 years and is a specialist in breast implant exchange and breast lift surgery.

The direct result of plastic surgery doctors and patients receiving more air time – both in fictionalized dramas and reality television series – shows a heightened awareness of, and interest in cosmetic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), about four out of five of patients indicated that television directly influenced their decision to undergo cosmetic surgery.

The interplay between televised depictions of cosmetic surgery and real life plastic surgery has a number of impacts. Most significantly, the high visibility of cosmetic surgery has somewhat transformed the public opinion of elective plastic surgery. Once viewed as an elitist indulgence reserved for the super-wealthy and pathologically vain, cosmetic work is now being seen as a more populist solution for crafting physical appearances. The process of cosmetic work has also been significantly demystified; by taking viewers behind the scenes and into the operating rooms, they are able to establish a foundation for their expectations, rather than assuming the worst.

But many practicing plastic surgeons worry that patient expectations have not yet reached parity with reality. Dr. John Persing, a member of the ASPS, warned that TV shows—even those touted as “reality television”—may create “unrealistic, unhealthy expectations about what plastic surgery can do for you.” Many times, procedures that are depicted on television deliver less dramatic results and carry higher risks than is revealed to viewers.

With this trend on the rise, a greater burden of responsibility has been placed on practicing cosmetic surgeons to properly educate prospective patients. These best practices are emerging effectively in areas where cosmetic procedures are most popular, such as Orange County. Plastic surgery, including breast augmentation and even minimally invasive injections, are prefaced with numerous consultations that help patients better understand the risks and results. For example, Dr. Andres Talesnik, a Newport Beach liposuction and facial beauty specialist, offers free consultations to all new patients to ensure that they have a realistic understanding of the procedure before moving forward. In this way, plastic surgeons can help patients reconcile the reality of plastic surgery with what they see on TV.

This means that there are literally thousands of doctors and clinics to choose from. While many are professional, qualified, and reputable, it can be difficult to separate the unscrupulous or inexperienced from the highly-trained and well-respected.

However, there are a couple ways that patients can ensure that they are working with an adept and ethical plastic surgeon.

Do Your Research

The first, most important and easiest step is to check for licenses and certifications. In the United States, and almost every other part of the world, doctors cannot practice plastic surgery without a license. As a patient, it’s your right to ask to see this license and verify it online or by calling the medical licensing board.

But just because a doctor is licensed doesn’t mean that he is a specialist in plastic surgery. For example, a doctor can be licensed as a dermatologist or allergist and can legally perform a liposuction or breast augmentation. In order to determine if a doctor has relevant experience and education for your procedure, check to see if they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). For overseas doctors, check to see if they are a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). These two certifications are widely accepted as the most respected among plastic surgery associations and can be verified online.

The last step is a bit more difficult, but is equally as vital as ensuring licenses and certifications. Before you go “under the knife,” schedule several pre-op consultations with your surgeon. Make sure that you have an open and clear channel of communication, that he or she is attentive to your needs, and that you feel comfortable entrusting your body with them. The importance of this step should not be overlooked, especially if you are visiting a facility in another country.

Whether you are seeing a doctor in San Sebastian or San Diego, plastic surgery should not be approached lightly. This is your body at stake, so take extra care and time to ensure that you are visiting a doctor you can trust.

These numbers suggest that the rise in cosmetic procedures for men is not—as some onlookers have conjectured—a signal that attitudes towards masculinity are shifting. The term “metrosexual” (i.e. a heterosexual man with the strong concern for personal appearances stereotypical of homosexuals) has been bandied about since 1994, when it was first coined by British journalist Mark Simpson. Rather, it is cosmetic medicine itself that has evolved.

Men who receive cosmetic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are as “macho” as ever, in fact. They are high-powered executives and attorneys, small business owners and Baby Boomers who are competing with their younger-looking counterparts in the workplace. These are men who are diligent about their physical fitness and want to improve the parts of their bodies that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Namely, beer bellies, wrinkles and cheeks.

For example, at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Orange County, eyelid surgery helps men correct that “tired look” while liposuction helps eliminate persistent pockets of fat that can’t be toned through training. Ocean Plastic Surgery Center also offers minimally-invasive facial procedures, such as Botox, which relaxes muscles that cause lines and Restylene, a dermal filler which replaces volume in the cheeks. Minimal incisions facelifts are also important, since men do not wear makeup. As such, plastic surgeons must work to naturally minimize and hide facelift scars.

For men, looking younger without making it apparent that work has been done is key.The steady rise in cosmetic work for men is a testament to the ways that today’s subtler, less invasive procedures make it possible.