Face-Lifts Are a Viable Aging Skin Treatment

Face-lifts are becoming increasingly popular as an aging skin treatment. While some consider going into surgery for cosmetic improvements a bit extreme, plastic surgery remains a viable option for those whose experimentation with other less intensive measures have failed to provide them with the desired results.
For a long time, many were hesitant about undergoing plastic surgery, haunted by concerns about the infamous "surgical look" that was oftentimes the effect. The practice, however, has been gradually gaining acceptance as techniques have improved leading to less invasive surgery and more natural looking results.
Face-lifts are now considered the most effective aging skin treatment. The cost and invasiveness of the surgery is dependent on the amount of work needed for the desired outcome. Procedures range from simple skin extensions to tissue and bone reconstruction.
A major criticism of earlier face-lift procedures was the protracted recovery time - a serious drawback for those with busy schedules. To overcome this problem, the surgery was made less invasive, resulting in less trauma, fewer scars, and a lesser need to recover after the surgery was completed.
As we mature and age, facial fat distribution and bone structure change to make us appear older. Face-lifts reconfigure these elements back to the way they were when we were younger. Simply stretching the skin fails to address these structural components that must be adjusted to achieve natural looking results.
With the advent of tumescent anesthesia, shorter incisions and scars, and less recovery time, face-lifts of late have improved greatly over earlier procedures. This has done a great deal to improve their acceptance.
There are many aging skin treatments in addition to the one principally discussed in this article. To remain up-to-date on the latest advances in the field, www.health-and-skin-care.com is a source of valuable information.

How Does an Upper Body Lift Differ From a Lower Body Lift?

The excess skin and fat from extreme weight loss often creates a circumferential hanging effect at many levels of the body. While many think of the body lift as only one contouring procedure, they are only thinking of the lower body lift or circumferential body lift procedure. There is another body lift procedure for the upper body, not surprisingly called the upper body lift.
Like the lower body lift, the upper body lift is a combination of three body contouring procedures. A frontal breast procedure (for both women and men), a side chest wall lift, and an upper back lift. In some cases, the cut out of loose skin may extend into the arms as well. This combined operation leaves long scars around the upper body but are usually a worthwhile trade-off for the dramatic improvement in the shape of the upper body. The resultant scars across the back and on the side of the chest are horizontal, much like the lower body lift. The change is in what occurs across the chest/breast area. Usually I like to keep it in the lower chest/breast crease and make it horizontal also. It can certainly be combined with a breast lift or a gynecomastia reduction if needed. But the one thing you don't want to do is cross the midline/lower sternal area with a scar if you can avoid it. The risk of scar widening is very likely in this area, not to mention being very noticeable particularly in women. Therefore an upper body lift is not always completely circumferential as a lower body lift would be.
Upper body lifts are not as common as lower body lifts because it takes a very extreme amount of weight loss to create enough skin to justify the operation. Usually the patients must have lost 150 to 200 lbs after their bariatric surgery. The upper body lift has its greatest effect in the problematic area of the side of the chest wall and upper back. As a result, it would not be uncommon to just do a partial upper body lift stopping short of the chest/breast area and not crossing the exact middle of the back. Upper body lifts have the same riska and postoperative issues as lower body lifts including poor scarring, small areas of wound separation, and fluid build-up after the drains are removed.

Correcting the Chest Deformity in the Massive Weight Loss Patient

Currently, men make up a minority of patients presenting for body contouring surgery after weight loss. However, their numbers are increasing and they have several different body concerns that women. One of these is that of the chest area. The skin sag and the presence of excess fat under the nipple creates a relatively new type of problem. Some call this chest problem gynecomastia but that is inaccurate. It is really pseudogynecomastia as it has more skin and less actual fat.
Most male chest deformities after weight loss require dealing with the extra skin. Some patients may need liposuction only but this is not common in my experience. When a male patient is motivated to undergo chest reconstruction, they almost always have a significant problem. It usually requires removal of skin and then what to do with the the sagging and often stretched out nipple. The skin part is relatively easy. The overhanging skin (that which sags below the lower chest crease) is horizontally removed with the goal of making the chest flat and keeping the final scar low enough so that it hopefully lies in the natural skin crease at the lower end of the chest muscle.
The more difficult choice is how to manage the sagging nipple. Choosing a new location is based on standard measurements but how to get there is another. The nipple can be removed and replaced like a skin graft or the nipple can be moved while attached to some underlying breast tissue. (similar to how it is done in a female breast reduction. Both methods are reasonable but they have slightly different outcomes. Free nipple grafting gives one the flexibility to place it anywhere on the chest but the nipple will not have sensation and make look a little artificial and stuck-on. (plus there is no guarantee it will survive and it may lose some color after it is healed. ) Pedicled nipple grafts are harder to perform and are more limited in where they can be placed. But they usually look more natural and have better color. In some cases, the amount of sagging chest skin dictates which nipple technique can be used. But in others, it is a matter of the patient's choice and their level of concern about the look of the nipple.
For male extreme weight loss patients, the chest deformity is right up there in concern just behind the abdominal and waistline areas. Men are most interested in how their chest looks in clothes and want a relatively flat appearance in shirts.

Breast Implant Surgery - Financing Options

The body looking back at you in the mirror is not the one you remember or the one you wanted. Whether you've lost the voluptuous curves and cleavage or you never had them to begin with, you've decided it is time for a change. There's no reason why you can't have fuller breasts that make you feel good about yourself. Well, maybe one - money.

For all the good breast implants can do for a woman's self-esteem, they can really hurt the wallet. For the entire breast enhancement procedure, including the implants, anesthesia, hospital fees, etc., the cost averages about $7,000. Depending on where you live and the kind of surgeons in your area, you could end up paying as little as $5,000 or as much as $10,000. That's a lot of cash for anyone! So, what are your options when it comes to paying for breast enhancement surgery?

* Savings: If increasing your bust size isn't an urgent desire, you can set aside funds until you've raised enough to pay for the procedure, or at least part of it. This of course, is the best way to go because you pay up-front and it's over and done with. No interest fees or monthly payments to worry about.

* Bank Loans: If it isn't realistic to hope that you can wait long enough until you've saved up that much money, getting a bank loan to finance the procedure is an option. Many financial institutions now have specialized loans that cover cosmetic procedures. The key is to shop around and get the best rate before committing to any one bank. If your bank doesn't offer these specialized loans, there are also personal loans and lines of credit you could apply for to pay for the procedure.

* Clinic Payment Plan: Many cosmetic surgery clinics also offer their own financing and payment plan options. Again, compare what they offer to the loan you have independently researched. Go with the best rate and terms and conditions.

* Insurance: For some breast augmentation procedures, insurance will cover all or a portion of the cost. Check with your insurance provider if the implants are part of reconstructive surgery. For breast cancer patients who've had a mastectomy, breast implants are often a part of the recovery and healing process.

Another candidate for an insurance-covered procedure is someone who has been disfigured in an accident or from a birth defect. If the enlargement surgery is simply for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not pay. If you have any doubts, it never hurts to check.

When you are comparing prices of surgery in your area, don't go with the bargain basement price or the most expensive. This is surgery and you don't want to go in with a coupon, right? Its possible that the cheaper doctor may be also the better surgeon. So do your homework. Talk to former patients and see what they have to say. Make sure the plastic surgeon is board certified and licensed. Even better, find out if he specializes in breast augmentation. At the very least, find out how many he has done and look at before and after photos.

Weigh all your breast surgery financing options and choose the best one for your situation. Breast implants are supposed to make you feel better about yourself and improve your confidence. If you are constantly worrying about money as a result, well then was it really worth it? Be smart about your financing so you can enjoy the results.

Our Savannah plastic surgeons at Coastal Empire Plastic Surgery perform popular breast cosmetic surgery procedures to help you obtain the look you hope for. Learn more about the breast enhancement procedures they offer.

Breast Augmentation Vs Breast Lift

There they are, out front for all to see, shrunken, sagging or just flopping around. They were your pride and joy in your twenties and their shape now feels like a betrayal. Pregnancy, weight loss, age and gravity have taken a toll on the shape and size of your breasts.

You're forced to buy super support bras, water bras and underwire - you wear a support bra even to bed, just to tame their unruliness. You start thinking that maybe you should have some kind of cosmetic surgery to put them in their place permanently, but you're not sure what you need.

Should you get implants with breast augmentation surgery or just a breast lift? Looking in the mirror, you're thinking you might need both. So, what is the difference between the two procedures and how do you know what you need?

Breast augmentation is used to increase the size or fill empty space left by breast tissue loss. It involves placing implants in the body to increase the size of the breasts. A breast lift raises sagging breasts and puts them back in their normal position.

If you've lost a lot of tissue, say from weight loss or pregnancy, your bust size actually shrinks. You may be smaller than you ever have been. Your breasts will also have a tendency to sag, because they have been stretched out and then shrunk.

If you haven't lost any tissue or fat, but notice they are no longer high and perky, it means gravity is taking over. Again this is fixable. A breast lift is just that - it pulls everything up to where it is supposed to be.

An implant, either saline or silicone, fills the space left by the fat loss, and also perks the area up a bit. Your surgeon can place the implant so that it has a natural seat on the chest. Your surgeon will make an incision around the nipple and under the breast, remove excess tissue and pull the skin taut and back into the normal position.

Often, both procedures are used to correct severe sagging and fat loss, and it is not unusual for both procedures to be performed at the same time. This is especially true if you have had extreme weight loss or multiple pregnancies.

In these cases, fat tissue will be lost and everything has been stretched a great deal. This leaves behind severe sagging as well as shrinkage. Your surgeon will lift the area and then insert the implants, to give you the desired look and size you want.

The best thing to do is to seek out a board certified and licensed plastic surgeon with a lot of experience in breast enhancement procedures. During your consultation, he will evaluate your body and determine exactly what you need, to get the look you want.

Have him show you before and after pictures of a breast augmentation, a breast lift and then both. This will also help you determine what you need and what to expect. For whatever reason, your body has changed, but you don't have to just accept it. Take action now and get your breasts back in shape.

The Future of Cosmetic Injectable Fillers

The current popularity of injectable treatments is based on placing synthetically-derived compounds and drugs into and under our skin. At best, these are well tolerated agents that create their effect and then are gone after a relatively short period of time. The future of injectable cosmetic treatments will likely be somewhat different. And we are getting a glimpse of that potential paradigm shift right now.

Spurred by the discovery in the 1990s that fat contains a rich supply of cells similar to the stem cells found in bone marrow, developments and techniques to use stem cells from fat for injectable cosmetic and reconstructive procedures is being worked on around the world. A stem cell is a cell from which other types of cells develop and they lie in a resting state amidst many of our tissues. Fat has proven to be a rich source of stem cell populations. The theory behind this new injectable approach is that fat may be processed or handled in a way that allows the stem cells to create a blood supply for the transplant that helps the fat survive after injection. Or perhaps have the stem cells convert after injection into fat cells to replace those regular fat cells which did not survive the transfer process. During a single operation, fat is obtained by liposuction from the stomach or thigh for example and then processed using a special technique.. The 'treated' fat is then injected into the desired area. Because the patient is the donor, there is no risk of tissue rejection. This concept is being used in other parts of the world right now for breast augmentation and small breast reconstructions. I currently use a similar approach for my fat injections for cosmetic facial improvements and for those patients who desire buttock augmentation with fat grafts rather than a synthetic implant.

Botox® and synthetic injectable fillers are here to stay and will be the backbone of office and non-invasive cosmetic treatments of the face for years to come. The use of one's own fat remains theoretically appealing, however, and current research suggests that it will ultimately have a slice in the injectable 'pie' in the near future. Because it involves more effort and costs, it role will always be more limited than off-the-shelf products. But its rich source of stem cells and its lack of any rejection issues makes fat a filler material worth working on.

Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified plastic surgeon in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana at Clarian Health Systems. (http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com) He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com

What to Expect From Breast Augmentation

It is very understandable to have a lot of questions about every stage of a breast augmentation procedure - from the moment you decide you want it done to the moment you are standing in front of the mirror admiring your new figure.

Knowing what to expect before you go ahead with the procedure is very important, as it will help you to understand what happens at each stage. While the surgery itself is extremely important and is the key to ending up with the right size and shape breasts that you first imagined, knowing what happens before that and what you should expect from the procedure itself will go a long way to helping you prepare in the right way.

Having realistic expectations

Some women have unrealistic expectations of how their life may change after the operation. While having breast implants put in can make you feel more confident and give you more self esteem, it is important not to rely on the surgery to give you this.

If you choose a good doctor you should be able to talk to them about your feelings and why you want to have the surgery, so they can give you the benefit of their wealth of experience in performing the same operation for lots of other women.

What to expect before the operation

You will see your surgeon for a consultation to decide the exact nature of your breast augmentation procedure, and to educate yourself on exactly what will happen.

The surgeon will tell you when your surgery will take place and how long it is likely to take. A couple of hours are normally about right for the length of the operation, which may be done either under local anaesthetic while you are awake, or under a general anaesthetic.

Your surgeon should also tell you what to expect afterwards, and how long healing will take to be completed.

Making the right choices

Many women expect to finally get the breasts they desire from a breast augmentation procedure, and indeed the vast majority of them do achieve this. But it is important to emphasise that the best results are achieved when you listen to the suggestions made by your doctor and take them into account when making the decision on what size you want to be after the surgery.

There may be certain limitations on what the ideal size will be for you, depending on your physical frame and the size your breasts are before the operation. Your doctor will be able to advise you of what will look natural and the size of implants that your body can accommodate comfortably.

In the end knowing what to expect from breast augmentation is a simple matter of finding out as much as you can beforehand - about both the surgery itself and how to make the right decisions about sizing and appearance beforehand.

A lot of this comes down to choosing the right doctor - if you select one you get on well with, then it becomes much easier to get the information you need and feel confident about what to expect from this procedure.

The Downsides to Breast Reduction Surgery!

There are many reasons why some ladies want their naturally large breasts reduced. There are physical problems with large breasts, such as neck and back pain, headaches, and even trouble breathing. There are also physiological issues, like unwanted attention from men...and even other women too. Because of these issues, some large breasted ladies opt to have a breast reduction.

The most common method of reducing breasts is breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty. In this type of surgery, fat, glandular tissue, and skin are removed from the breasts. It makes the breasts smaller and better shaped. However, there are major downsides to this surgery...


Possible complications and risks with Breast Reduction Surgery
As with most surgeries, there are risks. These include: bleeding and infection, or there could be an abnormal reaction to anesthetics, since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Sores around the nipples may occur. Some patients may end up with breasts that will look slightly different from one another. They may also have unequally positioned nipples after the procedure.

There is a risk, especially if breasts are extremely large, to permanently loose the sensation in the nipples and areola area. If breasts are extremely large and drooping, the surgeon may need to detach the nipples from their natural vessels and nerves, which then results in a loss of sensation in these parts of the breasts.

In very rare cases, the tissue of the nipples and areola may die. Additional surgery will then be needed and the nipples and areola will be reconstructed using the tissues from other parts of the body.

Breast Reduction Surgery leaves Scars
All scars of surgical nature are permanent. The more skin that is removed from the breast during surgery, the bigger the possibility to have deeper scars after it. The scars are visible around the nipple, go vertically down from the nipple and are typically under the breast as well. The scars fade as time passes but they still are wide and will smooth out over 3 to 6 months.

Breast Feeding may not be Possible after the Surgery
As glandular tissue and many milk ducts are removed from the breasts during the surgery, breast-feeding may not be possible in the future. Therefore, it is not recommended to have this type of surgery performed for women, who plan to breast-feed a baby in the future.

The Cost for a Breast Reduction
There are a variety of factors that influence the price of a Breast Reduction Surgery. Total cost depends upon the physician, region and state or province. Total price includes the surgeon's fee, hospital fees, and fee for anesthesia. The total cost is between $5,000 and $12,000.

In conclusion...

Some people understand all of these downsides and still feel that Breast Reduction surgery is right for them. And that's great. I'm not here to pressure anyone against the surgery. But I do want to inform you that yes...there is another option. An option WITHOUT all of these downsides.

I had an all-natural Breast Reduction with the Dream Breast System, and it was fantastic! There were no pills, creams, herbs or funny massaging. There were no risks or possible complications...no scars...and the price tag was very reasonable!

All I did was fall asleep each night with headphone on, listening to a wonderfully relaxing visualization, and my breasts reduced. I went from popping out a DD bra to very comfortably fitting into a D bra.

It sounds crazy, I know! That's how I felt when I first heard about it! But it worked. And I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking to enhance, reduce, and / or lift their breasts.

Tips For Having the Perfect Liposuction Surgery

People tend to form very strong opinions when talking about liposuction surgery. The subject itself can turn into a very heated and touchy argument for those that either love it or hate it. As with anything, you certainly have the group that is pro-liposuction and those that are not. Some people wouldn't even give it a second thought about under-going a liposuction procedure. If you are currently contemplating having the procedure performed, be sure to make the decision for yourself as it truly is a decision that only you can make that would be right for you. Here are a few things for you to ponder while processing the decision to have liposuction surgery.

Do some homework:

Ensure that you thoroughly research the liposuction procedures that are available to you as there are a handful at your disposal these days. When doing your analysis, you need to find the balancing point. The balancing point will include information about the procedure itself and both positive and negative results. Study and know what the individuals risks are of each type of liposuction procedure. People tend to get stuck in a certain mode as well so be sure to vary your sources of information and by all means don't just finalize your decision based on one finding. Include different liposuction clinics and doctors as this will help you find reputable establishments when you are building your case for liposuction. By finding the balancing point that fits your individual situation you will have enough information at your disposal to make an informed and educated decision with your physician on what the appropriate procedure should be instead of just relying on what someone is telling you.

Select the Right Doctor:

Even though most liposuction doctor's are licensed and registered, you will not find recommendations for certain physicians over others from reputable sources like the FDA as they are not allowed to suggest this type of information. Some of the best resources that could aide you in finding the appropriate liposuction doctor for you could be friends that have had the procedure and former patient testimonials. These are great resources to start your search and begin your short list selection. After you have your short list, setup some initial meetings with these doctors. You are going to want to find one that is knowledgeable and that you are comfortable with performing this type of surgery on your body. If you are uncomfortable with the doctor you will more than likely be uncomfortable with the surgery.

What to ask:

Because liposuction surgery is an elective cosmetic surgery you must always remember that it is nothing more than a service that the doctor is performing on your body. Most people wouldn't purchase a car without asking the car dealer some tough questions and you shouldn't be afraid to ask the doctor tough question about your liposuction procedure. There is no place in this to be embarrassed about asking a particular question to the doctor you are speaking with. If they can't answer the hard questions it might be a signal to move on. They should be able to explain to you not only what happens during the liposuction procedure itself but what you can expect before, during and after the surgery. If they side step any of the questions revolving around the potential problems that can occur during a liposuction treatment that you have researched and you are not comfortable with their answers, it should immediately throw up some warning signals in your brain. Above all else do not be pressured into any situation. Just because you spoke with a doctor about liposuction doesn't mean that you have to go through with the procedure with that doctor. It's not a decision to be made lightly. Take your time and decide for yourself if liposuction is right for you.

A word of caution:

Advertisements are everywhere. Just remember their main purpose, to sell you something. When visiting facilities or doing research you will see a ton of localized and specialized advertisements aimed directly at the type of liposuction procedure you are researching. Of course they are going to tell you of the perfect appearance you will have after a procedure so take them with a grain of salt so to speak. They are not going to say anything atleast visibly legible to warn you of any of the potential problems that could arise from said procedures. And by all means simply do not base your decision for liposuction surgery solely on cost. You don't have to settle for the first doctor or procedure or price that is offered to you. Always remember that liposuction is an elective cosmetic surgery and one that doesn't need to have a decision made today.

What is Mesotherapy?

There are many types of cosmetic procedures available today that can treat a whole host of conditions and concerns. The aging process can bring effects with it that many do not like, including wrinkles, excessive fat and sagging skin. Cellulite is another concern of many women and until now, there were few good solutions for the treating this unsightly condition. However, all that has changed with the introduction of a particular medical procedure that is non-invasive and fairly effective.

Mesotherapy involves injecting a combination of homeopathic and traditional medicines and vitamins into the affected area. Some of the most common places where mesotherapy is done include the typical places where cellulite lurks, like the buttocks and thighs, and areas where fat accumulates, like the chin, abdomen and arms. Other areas where sagging skin is found can also be successfully treated with this procedure.

These treatments will show results within a matter of weeks, and the more treatments that are done, the better the results. Doctors will often recommend 10-15 treatments for maximum benefit. The only side effect that has been associated with this procedure is some heaviness or discomfort at the point of the injection. There is not really a recovery time required after this procedure since it is non-invasive in nature.

Mesotherapy is a good choice for anyone who is interested in getting rid of cellulite or excess fat without an invasive procedure. It is a good idea to check with a doctor who specializes in this procedure to see if this treatment is the right choice.

Ranges of Cosmetic Surgery Costs

Cosmetic surgery costs for a complete facelift can the highest, although there is a new procedure called a lower body lift which is priced even higher than a facelift. The cost for breast reduction or augmentation surgery is also quite high. When looking at prices, be sure to ask for the costs of the procedures as well as for the anesthesia that is required.

Cosmetic surgery costs for a new nose, because of its complexity, is also quite high. The cosmetic surgery costs for a less-complex procedure, such as an eyelift, are more reasonable simply because this surgery is less involved than other procedures.

Cosmetic Surgery Costs for Qualified Surgeons

It's a fact that some surgeons are more skilled than others. Those with board certification can set higher fees for their services. A new trend has arisen recently where people are traveling to a foreign country because the cosmetic surgery costs are less. The danger, however, is that the surgeons may not be highly qualified. This could be risky for it's not as easy to learn the facts about the qualifications of the surgeons there.

People travel to Thailand, India and other countries because of the savings in fees. Each person should be cautious, since these surgeons may not have the skills of the surgeons in the United States.

Some plastic surgeons living in foreign countries may possibly have been trained in the United States so their qualifications are similar to surgeons practicing in the states. On the other hand some of these surgeons may have been trained in other countries where the standards are not as stringent as they are in the United States. Only you can make the decision if saving on cosmetic surgery costs is worth having a plastic surgeon who was trained in a foreign university.

Cosmetic Surgery costs may be lower in a foreign country, but if there are problems with the surgery, then the subsequent corrective surgery would increase the costs substantially. That is no savings.

You can also find more info on Types Of Cosmetic Surgery. Cosmeticsurgerybliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Beauty.

Forehead Lift and Brow Lift Surgery

People who have deep frown lines or worry lines across their forehead can use a number of different cosmetic procedures. One that can be done is a brow lift or forehead lift. In this procedure, the skin of the forehead is literally lifted, making the eyebrows higher and tightening the skin. The result can be a younger looking face. But there can be complications as well, so it is essential to do your research if you are considering this.

During a brow lift, your hair will be tied back, and may be trimmed at the hairline. The incisions are made either in front of the hairline or at the temples. In a conventional forehead lift, excess skin is removed, and what remains is lifted, and then sutured into place. A brow lift can also be done endoscopically, using a thin tube with a tiny camera attached to it. This camera is inserted under the skin, so the surgeon can watch what is going on during the procedure without making as large an incision.

The typical candidate for a forehead lift is a man or woman over the age of 40, who has drooping eyebrows, sagging skin on the forehead, or a lot of deep wrinkles on the forehead. A brow lift can help enhance the appearance, making the eyes look larger and the face look younger. But there are risks to consider. Potential complications include infection and nerve damage. This is also done under anesthesia, so there is that to consider.

It's also important that after a brow lift, you try to minimize scowling, frowning or furrowing your brow. These are the facial expressions that created the problem in the first place, and they can un-do the changes made by your cosmetic surgery.

Which Cosmetic Surgery Clinic is Right For You?

Often, a cosmetic surgery clinic may be far away from the noise and distractions of city life. In fact, it's not unusual to find a clinic situated in a countryside -- a place that is fairly secluded and that offers privacy, and that has a staff of dedicated surgeons to offer patients the very best in care.

Who Is In Charge?

In addition to checking out the location of the cosmetic surgery clinic, there is the all-important factor of "who is in charge." The chief surgeon should have impeccable credentials and be recognized by a reputed association. Most professionals of such caliber will normally be pressed for time. However, the cosmetic surgery clinic must allow for prior consultation with the surgeon in order to establish the type of cosmetic surgery required as well as the action plan, and of course, settling on the final costs.

Most cosmetic surgery clinics offers a wide range of different types of cosmetic surgery procedures. Some may specialize in certain kinds of procedures, such as face lifts, that sets them apart from other clinics. In spite of the excellence in expertise, one should still expect to find affordable costs. Otherwise, the clinic will only be catering only to the well-do-do, and those who have the kind of resources required to undergo expensive treatment at a cosmetic surgery clinic.

Some cosmetic surgery clinics are known to combine work with vacation and offer services that include tailoring a vacation around the specific requirements of the patients. If this interests you, simply fill out required information forms and the Cosmetic Surgery clinic will arrange for you to have cosmetic surgery and a vacation that is especially planned to meet the your needs.

There are several ways to locate a qualified cosmetic surgery clinic. Begin by browsing the internet, or you may want to check out the classified ads in local newspapers. Abundant clinics can be found all across any state, as well as all over the country, and beyond. Be sure that you research the facilities as well as the competence of staff and surgeons before you choose a particular cosmetic surgery clinic.

You can also find more info on Cosmetic Surgery. Cosmeticsurgerybliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Beauty.

The Ten Instructions After Your Otoplasty (Ear Pinning) Surgery

The correction of protruding ears, also known as otoplasty or ear pinning surgery, is a simple plastic surgery procedure that has a dramatic visual effect and an equally significant improvement in one's self-image. By repositioning the cartilage of the ear with sutures through an incision on the back of the ear, the angle of the ear as it protrudes from the side of the head can be altered to a more favorable setback position. The effect is instantaneous, both on the operative table as well as when the ear dressings come off. Here are my after surgery instructions that I provide to my otoplasty patients.

1. A circumferential head dressing will be placed on at the end of the surgery to protect the ears in their new position. In adults and teenagers, this dressing can be removed the next day. In children, the head dressing will stay in place for 1 week. (if they can stand it for that long!)

2. Dissolvable sutures are used behind the ears so suture removal is not necessary.

3. Once the head dressing is removed, the ears still need to be protected. In children, a 'ski band' or head band is to be worn as much as possible for the next 2 weeks. In adults, this form of protection should be worn only at night for several weeks after surgery. If one should accidentally twist an ear or roll over on it during the night, it is possible to loosen or break the sutures with the ear returning to its appearance prior to surgery.

4. Eyeglasses should not be worn for the first week after surgery so they do not rub on the incisions behind the ears.

5. The ears will remain somewhat swollen for up to a month after surgery. Be patient before judging the final result as it takes time for the ears to settle and be less sensitive to the touch.

6. Swimming and other underwater activities should be avoided for two weeks after the surgery.

7. Sports activities that pose a risk for direct ear trauma (e.g., basketball) should be avoided for one month after surgery.

8. Make sure to take and complete your antibiotic prescription. While ear infections are rare, should they occur around cartilage (known as chondritis), they can pose a big problem. Cartilage infections are difficult to eliminate.

9. The need for pain medication is usually quite short-lived in otoplasty surgery. The ears are sore but not acutely painful.

10. The sutures used to reshape the cartilage are permanent. It is uncommon, but possible, for these sutures years later to extrude on the back of the ear. This usually appears as a white knot which is easily removed in the office.

Important Things to Do Before Getting Facial Surgery

Because the world of reality TV shows have opened our eyes to how easy getting face surgery can be, people are often misled about the true score behind it. Most of the time, when we watch reality shows about cosmetic surgery, the men and women emerge perfect and beautiful in the end, looking young and as fit as they had when they were young. However, what the camera did not include is the pain they had to undergo, the months of waiting for the wounds and bruising to heal, and complications that could have risen before or after the surgery.

So before taking the plunge and getting face surgery, get yourself acquainted with some facts and tips to guide you.

Getting face surgery sure has its advantages and benefits. With face surgery, you can keep people guessing what's your age as it could defeat signs of aging, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and giving you tighter and tauter facial skin. As we age, we lose skin elasticity and muscle tone, and we develop wrinkles, sags, and bags as a result of shrinking fatty tissue. But with facial surgery, we can reverse the effects of aging and bring about a new and rejuvenated appearance.

However, there are also drawbacks and disadvantages to cosmetic or plastic surgery. A face surgery could bring potential harm such as damaging the nerves in your face, making it unable to sense and feel. Frequently, one also experiences puffiness, staining, and vomiting or nausea. Blood loss could occur, clotting of blood, accumulation of fluid, or numbness. In extreme cases, permanent damage to the nervous system, pulmonary embolus or clotting of blood, fat embolus or clotting of the fats, or malignant hypothermia could occur.

To make your cosmetic surgery as painless as possible, it helps to get a good surgeon. Ask around for qualified surgeons with a lot of expertise and experience in the field of cosmetic surgery. Some questions you might want to ask includes their educational qualification, whether they are a member of any professional body, where and how long they have been practicing, how many procedures he has done in the previous year, and whether they have committed any mistakes in the past. It also helps to get references of the doctor's previous patients, so you can call them up and inquire about their experiences, and whether they are satisfied with the results of their surgery.

Other things you might want to know are the details of your facial surgery. You want to know which types of procedures you are getting, where the treatment will be done, what types of anesthesia will be administered, how long the procedure will take, the time of recovery, the lifespan of results, and who will be taking care of you during the procedure.

You will be putting your physical beauty and well being on the line so make sure that before you go for a face surgery, you know what to expect. Know that it's not a fairytale where there are no side effects, and be extra careful in choosing a surgeon.

Plasma Lift - Lift Your Spirits

Until recently cosmetic procedures designed to combat scars, fine lines, deep wrinkles and sun damage worked by treating the outer layer of facial skin. The traditional resurfacing lasers used in these treatments caused discomfort, lengthy recovery times and a number of risks associated with aggressive skin resurfacing. Now a newly developed technology called Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration (PSR or Plasma Lift) is changing the face of cosmetic procedures, literally.

What Is Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration?

Portrait® PSR is a non-laser technique that provides the same regeneration and resurfacing results without the safety concerns of CO2 or Erbium lasers. It is unique in that it uses activated nitrogen plasma (pressurized gas) to remove and regenerate damaged skin.

Able to be used on a variety of skin types Portrait® PSR transfers heat energy in a revolutionary non-contact treatment. This technique works on the deep layers of your skin while preserving the important outer layer, which acts as a natural dressing while your new skin regenerates. By modifying the collagen beneath the surface Portrait® PSR not only provides immediate improvement to skin texture and elasticity but continues to work over the long term with claimed noticeable results for up to one year.

What Can I Expect From Portrait® PSR?

Portrait® PSR is a flexible treatment. It can be used to target specific trouble areas such as around the eyes and on the cheeks or it can be used over the entire face for a more vibrant and smooth skin appearance. It works on deep wrinkles, improves skin tone, texture and elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and scarring.

A full-face treatment will take about 20 minutes with localized treatments ranging from 5-10 minutes. You will be required to apply a topical anesthetic or possibly a small injection of anesthesia will be administered by your physician prior to the procedure. Resembling a laser the Portrait® PSR tool will then direct condensed gas into the layers of your skin stimulating new collagen production. A sensation of heat will be felt throughout the treatment. Several days after the procedure your new skin will emerge and the old skin will shed. Healing time is minimal.

You can choose between multiple low level treatments or a single higher-level treatment depending on your skin issues and desired effect.Full recovery time ranges from 10 days to 2 weeks.

How Is Portrait® PSR Different From Other Facial Treatments?

Traditionally facial skin resurfacing had to be performed by lasers. These lasers use non-specific light radiation to gently burn away and regenerate skin. Given the aggressive nature of these treatments side effects such as heat charring and other complications can occur. As the outer layer of skin is removed during laser resurfacing there is extended downtime and significant discomfort for the patient.

Portrait® PSR instead works on the underlying skin leaving the important outer layer intact. By using nitrogen gas instead of light radiation there is no risk of charring and minimal to no discomfort during the procedure. This combination reduces patient downtime considerably.

Who Is This Treatment For?

* Anyone who is considering laser surgery and/or plastic surgery are ideal candidates for Portrait® PSR. 
* People who are looking to improve the appearance of aging skin and want to turn the clock back on wrinkles and sunspots. 
* Individuals who wish to regain lost skin elasticity and youthful texture. 
* Anyone who wants to remove discoloration and reduce the appearance of acne scars.

At Chirurgie Esthetique Montreal, Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration is the latest cosmetic advancement able to provide long lasting improvements and youthful looking smooth skin.

The Chirurgie Esthetique Montreal offers cosmetic treatments and procedures, including rhinoplasty the newPlasma Lift.

Smart Lipo - Another Step Forward For Weight Loss

The reputation of liposuction has for some time suffered due to horror stories that have circulated, with bruising and pain experienced by many patients, and loose skin left after the process that often requires further cosmetic treatment. The invasive nature of the procedure can also lead to other medical complications. Smart Laser Lipolysis, or Smart Lipo, is a step forward from liposuction, being a much less invasive procedure which, though suitable only for smaller areas of fat removal, results in very little discomfort to the patient and improved results.

There are many reasons why many patients choose Smart Lipo over traditional liposuction. These include:

• Smart Lipo uses less invasive equipment than ordinary liposuction, greatly reducing discomfort.

• Smart Lipo is a fast procedure that takes no more than a couple of hours to perform, and results in minimal downtime.

• Smart Lipo is performed under local anesthetic rather than a full general anesthetic, meaning there is less risk.

• Smart Lipo results in much less bleeding or swelling than traditional liposuction as the laser technology used seals up blood vessels as the surgery is in progress.

• Smart Lipo stimulates collagen production, resulting in a tightening of any loose skin.

So, what areas is it suitable for?

Candidates for should have realistic expectations of what can be achieved. It is also ideal for people of fairly average weight with stubborn areas of fat that they want removing, but it is not a suitable treatment for obesity. Results are excellent and natural-looking, but do become visible over time rather than instantly.

Dr Dinesh Maini of Nottingham Laser Clinic is an experienced cosmetic doctor. He is the UK's northern trainer for Advanced Laser Lipolysis, and performs many other procedures at his successful clinic. Nottingham Laser Clinic has recently been going from strength to strength, being appointed the Advanced Laser Lipo training center for the north of the UK in March, and subsequently training the first doctor to perform the procedure in South Africa. On top of this the clinic's website has been updated, resulting in improved search engine positioning, all contributing to the clinic's continued prominence in its field. For more information on Nottingham Laser Clinic please visit: http://www.nottinghamlaserclinic.com

Macrolane Breast Augmentation - Non-Surgical Alternative to Breast Implants

What is Macrolane and has it been used before?

Macrolane Breast Shaping Injections are made from the same substance that your body uses to maintain skin turgor - Hyaluronic Acid, which you may have heard of before. This product has been injected into faces for 10 years as Restylane and Perlane and has now been produced in much purer form with larger particles to allow larger quantities to be injected in to the breast. In fact 9 million doses have been injected into the face with minimal side effects.

How is it different to surgical breast shaping?

Macrolane treatment is performed under local anaesthetic compared to general anaesthetic in surgical procedure. Macrolane has minimal downtime and minimal risk of scarring. Macrolane does not interfere with the results of mammograms which are obstructed by silicone implants. This allows you to have regular checks of your breasts that show all of the tissue. In addition Macrolane injections are designed to give the breast a fullness and subtle reshaping by only one cup size. This is very difficult to do with surgery. Ultimately those breasts that have dropped considerably will need a surgical treatment in order to lift them if that is what the woman desires. Also if a woman wishes to go from an A to a C or a B to a D then Macrolane is not an appropriate treatment for her.

The ultimate success of Macrolane is that a woman can halfway through a procedure check how her breast feels and looks, if she wishes she can easily have more fullness. One cannot do this with surgery.

Do Macrolane injections hurt, and how do they feel?

No, less so than a filling if performed by a skillful operator. The doctor will numb the area with a local anaesthetic before injecting Macrolane. The injected area feels firm for a few days like firm breast tissue as it absorbs water. After a week or two it begins to soften and after a few weeks becomes quite soft and very similar to breast tissue.

How long does Macrolane last?

Macrolane is topped up every year with roughly half the volume that is injected initially. Most people would have 200mls in the first treatment thus have a 100ml top up in 12 months. They would then have a longer period before the next top up, say 14 months and so on.

Is Macrolane safe?

As hyaluronic acid already exists within your body it is not recognized as a foreign substance. Extensive trials over since 2002 have shown no long term issues. Only a handful of doctors have been trained in the UK. Dr Maini at Nottingham Laser Clinic is one of the first UK Drs to be fully trained in the technique. We are an established medical aesthetic clinic that takes pride in delivering the most advanced treatments that deliver results. Our personal, patient-centred care is evident from the numerous testimonials we receive on a daily basis.

Dr Dinesh Maini of Nottingham Laser Clinic is an experienced cosmetic doctor. He is the Advanced Laser Lipolysis trainer for the north of the UK, and performs many other procedures at his successful clinic. For more information on Macrolane injections at Nottingham Laser Clinic please visit:http://www.nottinghamlaserclinic.com/macrolanebreastaugmentation.htm

Smart Lipo - The Smart Answer to Stubborn Fat

Most people are familiar with stubborn areas of fat that we cannot get rid of. Sometimes, pockets of fat on certain areas of the body just don't seem to shift. Despite a sensible diet and regular exercise, even those of us who are otherwise slim can retain areas of unsightly fat. However, this is not down to incorrect eating or exercise - some areas of fat actually are much harder to exercise or diet away!

The fat-burning process is activated by adrenal hormones which bind to receptors in fat tissues. These receptors come in two major types, alpha receptors and beta receptors. Beta receptors are responsive to adrenal hormones, so it logically follows that fatty tissue with high levels of beta receptors will burn more easily. However, alpha receptors do not respond to the hormones, so where the ratio of alpha receptors to beta receptors is high fat is much slower to burn off, leaving us with the stubborn areas that frustrate us all.

Added to this is the presence of more estrogen receptors in areas of stubborn fat. Once bound to the receptors, estrogen causes even more fat gain. Also, the lack of healthy blood circulation to areas of stubborn fat slows the metabolic process further.

These stubborn areas are not impervious to exercise, but if you feel you're unhappy with fat deposits that you can't seem to shift then Smart Lipo could be the answer. Smart Lipo can be performed quickly with minimal discomfort, bruising, downtime or scarring, and most patients require just one session.

Dr Dinesh Maini of Nottingham Laser Clinic is an experienced cosmetic doctor. He is the Advanced Laser Lipolysis trainer for the north of the UK, and performs many other procedures at his successful clinic. For more information on Smart Lipo at Nottingham Laser Clinic please visit:http://www.nottinghamlaserclinic.com/smartlipo.htm

Are You Too Old For Facial Plastic Surgery?

The jowls, the pouches, the hooded eyes looking back at you in the mirror are causing a huge drop in the confidence you once exuded. Here you are, middle aged to late adult and the aging you see in your face needs to be addressed if you want to look and feel on top of the game of life.

You know you will never look eighteen again nor will you have those rock hard abs and slim thighs that Matthew McConaughy loves in a woman but hey, you know you do not want to look like your Mom when she hit her middle stride or Great Aunt Helen when she developed the dreaded wattle that greatly aged her once beautiful face.

The smorgasbord of anti- aging choices may have you baffled. After consulting with those who specialize in plastic surgery, dermatology, skin care, those you love, friends who have had procedures and those who haven't; you now are armed with the latest and up-to-date arsenal of anti-aging procedures and methods that promote an illusionary promise to turn back the clock.

Yes, you want a younger looking face, but what's this? Have you waited too long to have a successful surgical facelift? Just how old is too old and these lists of complications and warnings, do they apply to everyone?

After the Donda West heart stopping tragedy, we now know that many men and women over the age of fifty have physical conditions such as issues with uncontrolled blood pressure, the beginning of heart disease, hematoma possibilities due to thin skin and previous health constraints that may create big red warning flags to a surgeon.

Previous surgeries, drug reactions, medications and even unrealistic expectations may prevent you from having a successful face lift surgery. Potential risks and complications that vary in severity are very real and you must proceed cautiously. Plastic surgery does not come with a money back guarantee and the results are permanent.

Even a simple eye lift may leave you dissatisfied with the results as you cope with swelling, eyelids that no longer close and excessive tearing. Infection and scarring are other risks that can present a challenge to your good looks.

Re-inventing yourself using surgery may not be for you.

Using injections also has drawbacks. Allowing foreign substances to be injected over and over year after year to plump and paralyze your sagging features may not always produce the desired effect as aging continues to affect the symmetry of your face.

Plumping up moderate not too deep lines and wrinkles is an art and when you choose injections you may not always like the results. Too, these temporary measures can have serious side effects that go far beyond redness and irritation at the injection site.

Perhaps surgery and injections are not appealing; the "done" look so prevalent in today's society might be right for some, but maybe not right for you. Benefits, precautions, adverse warnings and risks can be confusing.

An option that makes absolute sense if you really, truly desire a younger looking face is exercise. Facial exercise that uses resistance and contraction will slowly and steadily rebuild your facial muscles so they plump up. This action makes your skin look healthier; it acts and feels younger and smoother.

Just as exercise works for your body to sculpt and trim waist, tummy, hips and thighs, facial exercise can create a younger, more vibrant appearance when oxygenated blood is forced throughout the facial area. The face immediately begins to reflect the benefit of these exercises and every area of the face can be lifted, sculpted and refined with simple movements that are easy to understand and execute.

Will you look like you're twenty again? No, but if you want to look five, ten, even fifteen years younger, facial exercise is the safest procedure around. Think of it as a facelift without side effects.

Watch your face transform as the lines smooth and a youthful contour develops right before your eyes. You'll save thousands of dollars and never be at risk for the sake of beauty. Now when you look in the mirror, you'll want to say, "Well, hello gorgeous!"

Cynthia Rowland is widely recognized as an expert in all natural facial fitness with over thirty years experience in health & beauty related fields. She has appeared on The View, NBC 4, Fit TV, HGTV and other popular shows. This author, speaker and television personality is leading the crusade to keep men and women looking vibrantly younger through natural techniques without spending their children's inheritance.

Is Cosmetic Surgery Right For You?

For many of us, we go through most of our lives paying minimal attention to our skin. Sure, we moisturize and hopefully use our SPF30 on a regular basis but pamperingour skin on a daily basis is not practical for most people.

Then one day we wake up and notice that the face we've paid little attention to over the years has just started looking a little worn. We might begin to see a few morenoticeable lines or we might look a little tired with bags under our eyes. Our eyelids may look a bit droopier and our cheeks might sag a little more than they use to.

Ten to twenty years ago there weren't many options to droopy, saggy, wrinkled skin but today we have lots of them and cosmetic surgery is looming to the top of the list as one of the most popular remedies around.

Did you know that according to the American Societyof Plastic Surgeons, men accounted for 1.2 millioncosmetic procedures in 2004? It's a known fact thatmen don't want to look any older than women do.

According to the American Society of PlasticSurgeons (ASPS) the top 5 cosmetic procedures were:

For women:

1 Liposuction

2 Breast Augmentation

3 Eyelid Surgery

4 Facelift

5 Chemical Peel

For Men:

1 Nose Reshaping

2 Eyelid Surgery

3 Liposuction

4 Hair Transplantation

5 Breast Reduction

The new five-year trending data shows cosmetic procedures are up 24 percent from 2000.

Also in the running are the non-surgical procedures which have increased as much as 7% in 2004. They include such procedures as:

- Botox

- Laser hair removal

- Chemical peels

- microdermabrasions

So is cosmetic surgery right for you?

Well, I can't speak for everyone but there are a few things to consider and some questions you should ask yourself before going under the knife..

First and foremost, cosmetic surgery is 'surgery' and it hurts - ouch! As with any surgery, there is a healingperiod and there is swelling and puffiness immediately afterwards. Don't expect to look beautiful right out of surgery. It's going to take some time and patience.

Understand that a nose job or a face lift won't necessarily make you beautiful and it probably won't change how the world feels about you. In fact, patients have been known to feel a sense of disappointment after their procedures and for this reason it's important to understand how significant the changes will be, they may only be very subtle.

If you're considering plastic surgery ask yourself these things first:

Why do I want cosmetic surgery? Who am I doing this for?

If it's because your friend says you have a big nose or if you think looking more beautiful for your husband he will pay more attention to you then,you're a poor candidate. Hoping to impress your friends or hoping your husband will be more attentive are poor reasons.

A new face, nose or body won't change how others feel about you and if it does, it will only be temporary.

Can I afford This?

Most cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance unless it is health related. If you have to scrape money together to do this you're better off looking into non-surgical or less invasive treatments.

What if the results are not what I expected?Again, there's a chance that expectations won't be met. Be sure you are ready financially and emotionally to undergo more treatment if you're results are underwhelming.

As with any high cost, risky procedure, think it through.Don't act on a whim. Discuss the procedure with relatives and friends. Get some outside opinions.

If you're still interested in pursuing cosmetic surgery be sure you are in good health. A good candidate doesn't smoke, is emotionally stable and does not experience any major health disorders such as heart disease, diabetes or blood pressure issues.

Breast Implant Size - Not Too Big, Not Too Small

The most important part of any surgery, cosmetic or otherwise, is researching of the surgeon who will do the surgery. When considering breast augmentation, you want a cosmetic plastic surgeon who specializes in breast augmentation. He should be certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as trained by Allergan or Mentor, who are the manufacturers of today's implants.

When you are considering getting breast augmentation it's hard to know what size is "right" for you. Breast implants are not sized the same way bra's are and for good reason. We have all seen how a 36C by one manufacturer is a 34B by another. The makers of breast implants size are based on cc's (cubic centimeters), which is how much saline or silicone in contained within the implant.

That doesn't mean you can't use the bra size when talking to your plastic surgeon, it just means you shouldn't be surprised if the doctor refers to the cc size. Before you meet with your surgeon for the first time, you may want to look for pictures of women who are of the same general size and shape of your body with breasts of the size you think you would like. A visual image is helpful in imagining what size is right for you.

Perhaps you have friends who have already had breast augmentation done and you like the look... ask them of how many ccs their implants are and if they are saline or silicone. You might also ask them who they used for a plastic surgeon and what the surgeon's qualifications were.

When trying to decide about the right size there are a couple of different things to try to "see how they feel". The first idea is called the rice experiment. What you do is, buy an inexpensive bra(s) of the size you think you want, then by filling a pouch with the rice (measurements below) you can place the pouch in the bra and then feel how larger breasts are. Rice is the most popular filling for this test because it adds additional weight as the breast implants do. Oatmeal and potato flakes are other fillings used but are lighter in weight and possibly won't give the same feel.

* 1 cup = 236 cc

* ½ cup = 118 cc

* ¼ cup = 59 cc

Breast implants run from 125cc to the largest legal size of 1200 cc. With the measurements above you can mix and match to get that "right" one for yourself. You can place the filling in an old knee high stocking which would make it more comfortable to wear during your tests.

By taking notes on how much filling you are using with the bra's, you would know what you like. You might want to wear these test breasts around the house and under your regular clothes, just to see how they feel.

Remember when considering your new breast size, that your skin will need to be stretched over the implant. This is one of the factors your surgeon will take into consideration when making his recommendations during your consultation. On the other hand, most breast revisions are for larger implants so you don't want to go too small.

If you don't want to try the rice experiment, there are professional sizing kits available to purchase of around $50. They have bra with special pockets to insert their implants in to give you an idea of sizing. The other DIY option is the one women have used for generations that involves using socks to fill the bra. This isn't a very exact approach although you could bring in the number of socks you used and give them to the doctor.

There is no absolute right way to make the decision on what size is right or wrong for you. All of these suggestions are temporary in nature and just like Goldilocks; you can try all of them to help you find just the right size.

Getting the right breast implant sizes is a challenge for you as well as the surgeon. The correct implants give you a good figure and raise your self-esteem. Visit http://www.envisionimplants.com to get information on breast implant sizing to make this important decision. Technorati Profile

Plastic Surgery Gone Bad - The Facelift From Hell

Having plastic surgery in the form of a facelift is pretty common, and the surgeons have gotten quite good at it. However, there are horror stories about face lifts that have gone bad.

The most common bad face lift is when the skin is stretched too tight. If you live near a retirement community, you may notice a lot of the older women walking around with "that alert look" or a "look of constant amazement" on their face. Sometimes it seems that the surgeon pulled the skin so tight, that they cannot close their eyes. Many times the skin will stretch out with time and face returns to normal looking, but sometimes, it never does.

The next most common bad facelift is when the face ends up with scars. Most plastic surgeons are very good at small sutures, that leave little if any scaring, but occasionally, the scars never go away. There are a lot of different reasons for this, infection, reaction to the stitches, skin type, the list goes on. Sometimes, the surgeon just blows it, and the patient ends up scarred. Sometimes a second operation will be necessary to keep the patient from looking like something from a horror movie.

The best way to prevent these bad face lift surgery experiences from happening to you is be sure that your surgeon is well qualified. He may be more expensive that the guy operating out of his garage, but he is less likely to leave you scarred for life.

If you have a lot of sagging skin or numerous wrinkles, you may want to minimize the amount of stretching that your surgeon does. You may end up with some of your wrinkles left behind, but it is a better looking alternative than having "that alert look" and not being able to sleep at night because your eyes will not close anymore.

Having a facelift is a great way to look younger. You go to sleep and you wake up ten years younger, what is not to like about that?

A face lift is a great way to look younger almost overnight. Before you have face lift surgery, you should learn what the pitfalls are. You can learn more at http://www.my-new-face.com

Cosmetic Surgery Treatment For Massive Weight Loss Effects

After working hard at diet and exercise, you have lost a massive amount of weight only to find you have excess skin that just won't go away. The good news is that there are cosmetic surgery procedures that can remove that skin and tighten up what remains leaving you with a more toned appearance.

Both sexes can be benefited from a number of facial procedures that are available for addressing specific problem areas. A face lift (rhytidectomy) generally deals with the lower portion of your face. Because of weight loss or age, your eyelids may now have drooping skin. The procedure is called blepharoplasty and is done on both men and women making them look younger and refreshed.

Your surgeon may also suggest a brow lift which lifts the position of the eye brows and removes the horizontal lines that may make a person appear angry. With all facial procedures, the incisions are made as small as possible and are designed to be hidden in your hairline or where there are natural folds of your skin.

Your neck may also be showing signs of your weight loss, giving you the "turkey neck" appearance. While a neck lift (cervicoplasty) can't reverse the aging process it can make both men and women appear more youthful. When a neck lift is done, the procedure is similar to the lifts described above with the skin being lifted, tissue and muscle being tightened and excess skin being removed.

The breast/chest area can also be a problem for both men and women. Some men may have had heavy "man boobs" and now have sagging skin left there as evidence of the weight loss. A woman on the other hand might have sagging breast tissue and skin.

A breast lift (mastopexy) on a woman will involve moving the nipple higher and rebuilding the breast tissue that remains. If a woman doesn't have enough breast tissue or perhaps would like to enlarge her breasts she may opt to have breast augmentation done also.

In male breast lift, incision is made at the fold under the breast area; any excess tissue and fat are removed via liposuction with the incisions being closed with fine sutures.

Considering the arm area, the most likely place with excess skin is the underside of the arm. Arm lift,(brachioplasty) can be done by making an incision near your arm pit, liposuction follows to remove fat from the under arms and then the excess skin is pulled towards and the incision is closed.

You might find that you have excess skin and tissue drooping around your abdominal area (both above and below the belly button) along with sagging skin in the buttocks area. During your consultation with your surgeon, various procedures may be discussed such as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Great care is given to hide incisions in natural folds of the body. The length of this horizontal incision depends on the amount of excess skin to be removed.

As with most procedures, the muscles are tightened through the incision and liposuction maybe used to remove fat and contour to your abdomen. Depending on how much skin and tissue you have remaining, your surgeon may suggest a body lift which is a combination of tummy tuck and butt lift.

Thigh lifts (thighplasty) are done to change the appearance of specific portions of your thighs. Liposuction may be used to define your thighs and remove any excess skin.

With any of these or other cosmetic surgery procedures, you should make sure your surgeon is certified by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). When you meet your surgeon for the first consult you want to ask what their experience level is, with the specific procedure you are considering. Better to find out before you go through surgery than afterwards.

Prices for each procedure vary by geographic area and some surgeons have "packages" for multiple procedures. Financing is available for plastic surgery through several financing companies although you should explore all your financial options.

Bakersfield plastic surgery can treat the excess skin in your body even after massive weight loss; and give you the desired look. You opt for breast lift, arm lift, tummy tuck etc. as per your requirement. For procedural and financing information, visit http://www.lussiermd.com/.

Cosmetic Surgery Before and After Photos - Look at Them Critically

One key step to finding a good plastic surgeon is looking at before and after pictures. These photos show you the surgeon's former patients and the results of their plastic surgery.

These photos are important for two reasons. For one, they give you an idea of what you can expect from your plastic surgery. They show you exactly what can be done, and they help you decide what is best for you.

They also show you the plastic surgeon's work. These pictures offer a portfolio and help you decide whether the plastic surgeon is right for you. Here are some things to think about when you are looking at a surgeon's before and after pictures.

How Many Pictures Are There?

First off, how many before and after pictures does the plastic surgeon have? This is an important question. A good plastic surgeon should have binders full of photos, and even more to show you on request. They should have pictures of every operation you are thinking about having. Some doctors even have power point presentations ready for their potential patients!

The before and after photos of surgeries are like a resume for the plastic surgeons. They can use them to show you their stuff. If the plastic surgeon has a few sheets of paper with some badly taken photos to show you, you can move on to the next consultation immediately.

Is The Work Done Well?

When you look at the before and after pictures, you are trying to determine how good they have done the job. A big part of looking critically at plastic surgeon photos is simply judging for yourself if they have done a good job or not.

Look at the before picture and consider the patient's plastic surgery objective. Was it accomplished in the second picture? Do they look better? Would you have been satisfied with the plastic surgeon's work?

This is also a great time to talk with the plastic surgeon and ask questions. Ask plenty of questions about specific patients shown in the photographs. The doctor will be able to give you more details and clarify when necessary.

How Do The Pictures Compare?

Before you go to the plastic surgeon's office, you should look at some other before and after photographs to get an idea of what's good and what's not. The best way to do this is to look online. Type "plastic surgery before and after pictures" into any major search engine and you will turn up more results than you will ever have time to look at. Almost every plastic surgery website has before and after photos.

Looking at other before and after photographs will give you an idea of what to expect, and a better sense of what the results should look like.

How Long Is There Between Before And After?

This is something lots of potential patients don't think about, and it is very important. Always check how much time has elapsed between before and after.

Most plastic surgery operations can be completed in a day or a couple of days. If you see pictures where months have gone by between "before" and "after", this is a tip off. This means that the patient had to go back multiple times.

A good plastic surgeon should have lots of photographs to show you, and you should be able to get a good idea of their work by looking at them. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and shop around before you choose a plastic surgeon.

Plastic surgeon in Burlington county New Jersey is proficient enough to give you the desired look. You can view the before and after pictures of patients before choosing the surgeon. For procedural information and before and after pictures, visit http://www.premierplasticsurgeryarts.com/.

MidLife Women - How Humiliating is That?

Have you seen the tv commercial that focuses on a woman stuck in bumper-to-bumper highway traffic with her partner and kids? She squirms and looks very uncomfortable, embarrassed and maybe even in pain. Suddenly a porta-potty floats gently down from the sky! The woman relaxes and smiles, and a picture comes on the screen showing a popular disposable pad/diaper product.

I find this commercial disgusting and demeaning. It's just a grab for a new market using any angle possible. And it's downright silly too - having a toilet come down from the sky!

It's true that many women suffer from some urinary incontinence or urgency. Sometimes it begins after pregnancy and birth, sometimes with the hormone changes in perimenopause. Some women just 'leak' when they laugh from a young age. But I hardly think a disposable pad for incontinence (billed as the traveller's porta-potty) will make everything tickety-boo!

Yes, these products are helpful in some circumstances, but why, why, why, don't we hear about products that can tone, build and strengthen the bladder? This is a preventive approach and the products that don't heal the symptoms wouldn't be necessary (or not for many years anyway)? Can't our allopathic medical docs get on board with the idea of 'complementary medicine', like in Britain. When allopathic medicine combines with natural (i.e. herbs, homeopathics, mega-vitamins, trace minerals, etc.) we get the best of both worlds. If it's good enough for the Queen of England, why isn't it good enough for us?

Through her 'Odyssey of Change' coaching program, Ellen Besso offers Midlife Women the opportunity to navigate the midlife maze and find joy & fullness in their lives. Personal action plans include strengthening the body-mind connection; releasing beliefs that limit growth; & specific actions to move you forward into your ideal life. Ellen is uniquely qualified to be your guide because she has personally journeyed through perimenopause and into an inspired life as a menopausal crone! Her professional credentials include certification as a Martha Beck Coach and an M.A. in Counselling from City University.

MidLife Women in Hollywood - Reflections on Women's Roles

The other day I heard from a woman who was fired from her management track job for having a close friendship (not yet an affair) with a male colleague. From what I can tell the man was not fired.

Which got me on my soapbox again...My partner was surprised that that kind of dismissal would happen in this day and age. I told him that women are often treated badly and unequally in business out there in the corporate world, (as opposed to our little self-employed, protected non-corporate world of friends here).

Then I began reading the Women in Hollywood blog. First the writer mentioned how some great women's shows are being axed for next year (Men in Trees, one of my favs). On another WIH blog, Kristen Davis, one of the stars of Sex in the City addressed the eternal question of whether the four women get along or hate each other. Kristen's very smart point was that these questions were sexist and that people didn't repeatedly question the Sopranos stars in that way. Opening of Sex in the City in London

Still on WIH blog, Jennifer Fox, writer, producer and subject of Flying, a six-part series on Sundance takes the position that women without children aren't perceived as real women in our society. She says: "We define women as being married mothers actually". I think she has a valid point. Our culture often perceives child-free women as somehow different...lacking...selfish..oh, I don't know...But not complete.

And then of course there's the invisibility angle - the idea that women over a certain age (~45) just aren't noticed - it's like they're not even there. That's why two Australian women, who go by the names Loris and Lucy, began their eclectic blog for midlife women.

It pains me that this is happening in this day and age. We only have to look at Hilary Clinton and the ongoing "damned if she does, damned if she doesn't" criticisms of her and her campaign to see that we're a far cry from equality as yet.

Through her 'Odyssey of Change' coaching program, Ellen Besso offers Midlife Women the opportunity to navigate the midlife maze and find joy & fullness in their lives. Personal action plans include strengthening the body-mind connection; releasing beliefs that limit growth; & specific actions to move you forward into your ideal life. Ellen is uniquely qualified to be your guide because she has personally journeyed through perimenopause and into an inspired life as a menopausal crone! Her professional credentials include certification as a Martha Beck Coach and an M.A. in Counselling from City University.

Ladies, Are Your Neck and Shoulders Sore by the End of the Day?

As a voice specialist, I have found that 95% of my female clientele experience soreness in their neck and shoulder regions by the end of the day. Some women complain of a sore jaw as well.

Having worked with thousands of people, it is interesting to note that I have had only a handful of male clientele who complain of pain in these areas.

Why the difference?

Because we women carry our stress differently than men; and, we tend to become more aware of it by the end of the day. While I haven't done a controlled study on the subject, I have found that the stress men carry (if they carry any stress at all) is more likely to affect them in their digestive tract: it is a medical fact that men are more susceptible to peptic ulcers than women.

I would also venture to say that the mothers of the Baby Boomer generation did not experience the tremendous amount of stress that we women of that 'infamous' generation (as well as younger women) do today.

Again, why the difference?

Because our lifestyles have changed drastically since that of our parents or our grandparents; and, we are now faced with not only the stress that comes from raising children and managing a household but the tremendous pressure placed on us by our careers or jobs.

To say that our stress has doubled would be a mistake. Ladies, our stress is ten times greater than earlier generations because of our lifestyle. Raising children is much harder today than it was in the past because we physically spend less time with our children but place more attention on them when we are together.

Look at it this way: for the stay-at-home mom who oversees her kids' whereabouts throughout the day, there is not the same pressure on her to 'give attention to her children' as there is for the mom who picks up her children from daycare and then has to provide dinner, do the laundry, run some errands, take the kids to soccer or baseball practice, give them a bath, read to them, etc. The list goes on and on. And that list is considered the 'small' stuff. We women are built to sweat the small stuff because we are geared for multi-tasking; however, add to our multi-tasking, the problems of the job or the career and we are on overload. It really is too much. And, while statisticians may be concerned about where they're going to put all of us retiring Baby Boomers, I question if our stress won't kill us before it's time for relocation to the retirement center.

Generally speaking, men are not good at multi-tasking: they are built to tackle the problems encountered in their jobs or their careers, that which is considered the 'big stuff'. [I know I am being politically incorrect here but the truth is the truth. If women and men were the same, I would have men with sore necks and shoulders and a lot more women with ulcers!]

So how do we combat this tension? There are so many courses, books, and CDs on alleviating, reducing, eliminating and dealing with stress and yet most of these programs do not emphasize the most important thing you can do. Better negotiation or organization of your time is certainly an option but it will not stop the ache in your shoulders or neck until you do one very simple thing: learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm and I guarantee you will notice a tremendous difference in how you deal with stress, in how you can eliminate more of your stress, and how you can actually feel good by the end of the day.

In Parts II and III, I will discuss the proper means of diaphragmatic breathing and show you how a simple change in your breathing pattern can have a profound impact on your life, both professionally and personally.

Nancy Daniels is a voice specialist and president of Voice Dynamic. Working privately and corporately, she launched Voicing It! in April of 2006, the first video training course on voice improvement. You can watch clips from her DVD on her website and 'before' & 'after' takes of her clients as well as download an audio presentation in which Nancy describes what voice training can do for you at http://www.voicedynamic.com