Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing

Looking younger and fresher is the goal of most invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, and laser skin resurfacing is no different. This form of mainly facial skin rejuvenation can make you look refreshed, but it is not always the best method to deal with those pesky crow’s feet.

Non-Surgical Skin Care Methods

Look no further if you desire to look younger with little downtime but are not too concerned if the results are only temporary. Many people prefer non-invasive methods, but they have to face facts: Surgery lasts a lot longer, and requires almost no touchups.

What is Body Contour Surgery?

There are many types of body contour surgery, or cosmetic surgery from the face down. If you fancy a bit of a breast reduction or augmentation, a tummy tuck or even some liposuction on your thighs, then this is it.

Breast Lifts and Breast Augmentations

Few people are aware of the fact that having bigger, fuller breasts through surgery often means a combination of a breast lift and implants. If you have one without the other, the result might not be exactly how you intended.

How to Correct Uneven Breasts

It’s a sad fact of life that many women suffer from asymmetry in their breasts. Sometimes this is hardly noticeable; sometimes it is apparent. If you want to correct the look of your breasts so that they appear to be almost exactly the same size and shape, surgery might be the answer.

Are You a Good Candidate for Breast Augmentation?

Any woman who desires bigger, fuller breasts is a good candidate for this type of cosmetic operation, which can give you the bust you have always dreamed of relatively quickly. The recovery period can take a while and it can be painful, but most women say the results are well worth it.

Types of Tummy Tucks

Mini and traditional tummy tucks are the two main types of tummy tucks performed today. You would need to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to see which one is best for you.

Pros and Cons of Liposuction

Shifting fat from localized areas where it stubbornly refuses to budge is the most common reason why people want to have liposuction. But does it really work? This articles looks into the advantages and disadvantages of this popular procedure.

Why to Get Thermage

A plastic surgery procedure that promises to smooth and tone your skin? You have got to be kidding! Well, no, actually. This FDA-approved procedure seems to really work, although there is less predictability with it than there is with surgery.

Treating Sagging Buttocks

A body lift is usually the best way to lift a droopy buttock, although there are other options. However, buttock implants are not recommended as they are made from silicone rubber – and can be incredibly uncomfortable.

How to Choose the Right Facelift

Having a long consultation with your plastic surgeon is usually considered the best way to choose the type of facelift that is right for you. After all, your face could look dramatically different for years, so take the time to know what you want.

Recovering From a Facelift

It will take about seven to 10 days to recover from a facelift after you have the procedure done. After that, the swelling and bruising will have almost subsided, and women at least can choose to use make-up to conceal any tell-tale marks.

Why to Get a Browlift

Any time a person tells you that you look sad, angry or incensed when you’re not, it could have something to do with your brow. Brows begin to sag with age, which is why people get them lifted in an attempt to appear younger and more refreshed – and less tired.

Benefits of Cheek Implants

When a woman looks at a model smiling beatifically from the pages of her favorite fashion magazine, chances are she has high cheekbones. So it’s no surprise that scores of gals are flocking to their local surgeon to mimic the look. The procedure is not as difficult as you might think.

All About Chin Implants

For decades, a weak chin in men has been taken as a sign of a weak character. If you have a weak chin, or think that your chin simply does not do justice to the rest of your face, cosmetic surgery might be the answer to your problems.

Ear Pinning in Children

Few people are aware of the fact that our ears have almost reached their adult size by the time we are age five or six. But as the cartilage is still soft, that can be a prime time for an ear-pinning operation, especially if your child is already being teased about their size.

Best Candidates for a Nose Job

People who have what is called a dorsal hump are usually the best candidates for nose jobs, as they are relatively easy to fix. Still, going to your surgeon for a consultation is always the best way, no matter what size or shape your nose it. It’s amazing what a competent plastic surgeon can do these days.

Facial Cosmetic Surgery for Men

More and more men these days are appealing to plastic surgeons to help them look younger. For a lot of men, it’s all tied in with their job, especially if they are in sales. They want the competitive advantage, and think that looking younger will do the trick.

What is Septal Surgery?

Septal surgery is done to alleviate breathing problems, although in many cases when a person has this surgery done, he cosmetic surgery performed on his nose as well. Read more to find out why.

Problems With Plastic Surgery Abroad

It might sound significantly cheaper, a lot more glamorous and a bit more fun, but having plastic surgery carried out abroad is not the recommended way to go. And if you relished the idea of recovering in some exotic foreign climate, think again.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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If you are dissatisfied with your breast size or shape, breast cosmetic surgery is a choice to consider. Breast augmentation procedures, as well breast lifts, can increase the overall fullness and firmness of your breasts, improve the balance of your figure and enhance your self-image.

At Ballantyne Plastic Surgery, I consult individually with each patient to discuss their health, desires and lifestyle to ensure the success and safety of the procedure. Anyone is a good candidate for breast augmentation, that is, anyone who wants larger, fuller breasts. However, you have to be concerned about whether a breast lift will also be needed at the same time to give optimal results. We can, literally, change your shape of mind.

Silicone Back in Demand

Recently a trend we have been noticing in our area is that when the FDA allowed silicone to be allowed on the market about two years ago, there has since been a significant increase in the number of patients going with silicone as the implant of choice.

When they see the implant it feels more natural, it does not have the water-bag feel like saline does, and there is less risk of rippling through the skin that is visible. Also, the data is that the newest silicone implant is less likely to have capsular contracture, or hardening of the implant, than the old silicone ones. In fact, they are calling it now the gummy bear implant.

Are Boob Jobs Safe?

Most studies say there is no increased risk of breast cancer of failure of breast cancer detection with breast implants, as long as the patient gets regular mammograms, does her own self-exams and gets routine physician physical exams. So really, I would say that a breast augmentation procedure should really be considered by any woman who wants to have a bigger, fuller chest – without worrying about the safety aspects at all.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Body contour surgery means any operation to contour the body, from the neck down. The most common type of body contour surgery is breast surgery, which includes breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction.

Other common areas include contouring of the trunk, which means forms of abdominoplasty, which removes skin and fat and tightens the underlying muscles, and liposuction, which is incredibly common and one of the most popular of our body contour procedures. Due to its fine-tuned precision, in recent years we have started to call it liposculpture, as it has come a long way and has dramatically improved in recent years.

Still other types of body contour surgery include:

• Contouring of the arms, including liposuction or arm lifts
• Contouring of the legs, including different types of thigh lifts or liposuction
• Pectoral implants
• Calf implants
• Reduction of excess breast tissue in men, or gynecomastia

Despite good health and a diet and exercise program, some people still have areas on their body that are disproportionate due to localized fat, skin excess, or muscle weakness. Body contour procedures, like liposuction and abdominoplasty, make it possible for you to improve your shape and proportion, ultimately enhancing your self-image.

The most common procedures for women is with the breast and trunk area as well as the thighs. For men, it includes the chest as well as the abdomen and flanks. At Ballantyne Plastic Surgery, we can help you determine which body contour surgery is right for you.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Quick Notice of Etiquette

Looking at boobs that aren’t your significant others has always been frowned upon by society. There’s the eye catch, and then of course the eye roll, swiftly followed by the drooping of the head in shame and embarrassment. We’ve all done it, but why not analyze what’s really going on there. Boobs, or breasts, are some of nature’s most gorgeous and unapologetic sculptures; they provide life for struggling hungry babies and they also provide incentive (more on that later). So, why not flaunt your breasts, let the opposing sex enjoy them, and not be so darn protective. I mean hey, when life hands you lemons, you surgically implant those lemons into your chest cavity to make it look like your “thingies” are bigger.

With that said, here’s the list.

5.  Jewel

It’s hard to tell if they actually got bigger since they were hidden behind an acoustic guitar and a cardigan sweater for so long, but this counts as a boob job regardless.

Remember Jewel?  She sang a song that sounded like this- “Who will shaaave your shoul?”  It’s okay if you don’t remember, in fact, you’re better off forgetting that Jewel.  Of course I’m talking about the old Jewel, the one who played at Lilith Fair, sang while playing acoustic guitar (on a stool no less), and looked like a middle school guidance counselor.

But that all changed when she released her album 0304, which ditched her former folky aspirations for a more dance-oriented sound.  She also ditched her J Crew turtlenecks in favor of some neon, low-cut numbers, which displayed a couple aspects of Jewel that the world had never noticed before. It’s hard to tell if they actually got bigger since they were hidden behind an acoustic guitar and a cardigan sweater for so long, but this counts as a boob job regardless.  Supposedly, her foray into pop music was a tongue-in-cheek assessment of the “celebutante” era.  Who doesn’t like a good, ironic boob job?  Satire can be wonderful, especially when it involves dressing like a prostitute!

4.  Denise Richards

Recently on The Howard Stern Show, Richards confessed to having had three boob jobs over the course of her much respected career.

Recently on The Howard Stern Show, Richards confessed to having had three boob jobs over the course of her much respected career.  That’s the kind of dedication that these young, lazy Youtube-generation actresses can learn from.  In fact, this kind of dedication leads me to believe that Charlie Sheen was at fault for their divorce, seeing as how she’s certainly not a quitter.  Agents and studio heads repeatedly kept telling her, “No one wants to see your breasts anymore.  You’ve gotten too old.  You’re a mother, for Christ’s sakes!”  But she didn’t listen, ultimately keeping her career afloat with some serious “floatation devices”.

Thanks to her determination, she has maintained the respect that an MTV Movie Award winner deserves.

3.  Heidi Montag

By banking on America’s inherent love of boobs, Montag has etched out a nice little career for herself

In many ways, Montag can credit her blossoming career to her blossoming chest.  Before her breast augmentation, she was just another cast member of The Hills, the MTV equivalent of Seinfeld, in that the show was about absolutely nothing.  While the rest of her fellow cast-mates faded into much-deserved obscurity, Montag fought the natural order of things by getting one of the least subtle boob jobs in recent history, ensuring herself some front page tabloid coverage.

But instead of marching straight down to the offices of Penthouse, Montag made a power move by marrying Spencer Pratt, an even bigger boob than the ones on her chest.  By banking on America’s inherent love of boobs, Montag has etched out a nice little career for herself and her tit of a husband.  Not only does she have her own fashion line, Heidiwood, but she’s releasing her debut album in September.  Surely, this is proof that breast implants can make you sing better.

2.  Pamela Anderson

Pam is out there letting women know that it’s okay to have big, ridiculously fake-looking breasts, a once popular look that has recently been under scrutiny.

Come on, you think we’re going to leave out Pam Anderson on a top 5 boob job countdown?  She’s like the Wayne Gretzky of breast implants.  She’s an old school girl (seriously, she’s pretty old) who still firmly believes in the motto, “the bigger, the better”.  Naturally, in this new age of iPod nanos and baby Smart Cars, Anderson’s behemoths are nothing short of grotesque.  But hey, we can’t all be cool and sarcastic and tiny like Juno.

Pam is out there letting women know that it’s okay to have big, ridiculously fake-looking breasts, a once popular look that has recently been under scrutiny.  Well you know what, prejudice is a terrible thing.  In fact, Pam is like a boob job civil rights leader.  She’s like Rosa Parks.  She’s like Rosa Parks and Wayne Gretzky but with really huge boobs.  The proof, you ask?  Back in 1999 she had breast reduction surgery to reduce the massive size of her implants.  But shortly thereafter she got her breasts enlarged again.  Those are morals, people.  You have to respect that.

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Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.

“I was on the Web sites as having the ugliest boob job in the world,” the American Pie actress said in an interview with Us magazine. Her boob job, she said, was to rectify the fact that she had asymmetrical breasts, while she had lipo to give her the six-pack she felt was out of her reach, despite diet and exercise.

“First of all, I asked for big Bs, and he [the surgeon] did not give me big Bs,” Reid said. “He gave me Cs, and I didn’t want them. At all. Right after the surgery, I had some bumps along the edges of my nipples, but the doctor said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s going to be better.’ But after six months of ‘it’s going to get better,’ it started to get worse and worse.

“Guys I was dating would be like, ‘What’s wrong with them? They look really bad. You know, you should really get them fixed.’ [It's so] embarrassing,” Reid said. “I mean, you definitely need to turn off the lights, that’s for sure.” Her tummy, she added, was “the most ripply, bulgy thing.”

Luckily, Tara had the foresight – and the money – to have reconstructive surgery, and says she was able to get her life on track. But many people don’t. The result of bad plastic surgery can be a lot worse than just a bumpy boob job – and can include infection, skin-eating necrosis, and sometimes even death.

So how can you find a good surgeon you trust?

Finding the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon for the job is arguably the most important decision you’ll make when it comes to having plastic surgery. The American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers the following guidelines when looking for the right person for the job:

• Choose a Board-certified surgeon, one that is accredited by the ASPS or its equivalent. ASPS surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have completed at least six years’ surgical training and experience (this includes 36 months or more in plastic surgery). They operate only in accredited medical facilities (not in their living rooms or a rented space adjacent to a nail salon) and continue updating their medical and educational qualifications. They are also duty-bound to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
• Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.
• Ensure that your surgeon asks your opinion about the treatment recommended, and doesn’t pressure you into anything – or suggest hundreds of non-related procedures they can sell you at a bulk rate. They should also offer alternatives, when necessary and appropriate. If you’re 19 and considering a face lift, a good surgeon should offer non-invasive alternatives, such as a good facial or massage, and not give in to your demands.
• Discuss all prices beforehand, and find someone who welcome questions from you about their payment policies. They will also be happy to answer any inquiries about their professional qualifications, what the procedure will entail etc.
• Find someone who gives you all the information about the procedure you want and explains all possible risk, but in the long run leaves the decision to you. They might know better – from a purely professional viewpoint – but this is your body and the decision to have it altered should be entirely yours.

Top Tips

Other considerations should also be taken into account when looking for the right plastic or cosmetic surgeon. These top tips should help…

• Don’t believe everything you hear. The Internet is full of surgeons offering cut-price procedures, as are many women’s magazines. A healthy skepticism is vital for making the right choice. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Shop around. Make sure you have a consultation with at least three surgeons so you can do a bit of comparison-shopping, not only price but type of procedure etc. Most initial consultations are free so make the time and effort – not only your appearance could depend on it!
• Check before-and-after pictures, and investigate the hype behind the headlines. Talk to former patients, if possible (see below) and make sure they are satisfied not only with the end result, but with the care given, the price etc.
• Don’t base your final decision on the price of a specific procedure. Remember, this is your body – and price isn’t everything.
• Go with your gut instinct. If something doesn’t look right, feel right or even smell right, it’s probably not the right place for you. Your surgeon may be qualified to the highest standards and have an enormous list of satisfied patients. But if the two of you don’t get along and you feel uncomfortable or scared in his or her presence, look elsewhere.

Advice from a Pro

In her recent book, Men Are Stupid …And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery, comedienne Joan Rivers offers advice to women who are contemplating going under the knife – and need to find a good surgeon. She advocates asking everyone you know, including your friends and acquaintances, your gynecologist, and even your hair stylist.

“He sees the hidden scars in hairlines and behind the ears day after day. He looks down blouses for hours, even though he’s got absolutely no interest,” she writes. “He’s seen good boob jobs and lousy ones. Believe me, he’s an expert on who does great work and who doesn’t.”

Once you’ve found someone, Rivers advocates checking their qualifications through the websites of both the American Board of Medial Specialties and the ASPS. Once their credentials have been verified, look at their website, call their office, and finally meet up face-to-face.

“In the waiting room, you’ll get to talk to some of his patients, see how happy/unhappy they’ve been. Believe me, unhappy patients will be bursting to tell you their complaints. Often, in the waiting room, doctors have binders of before-and-after photos to flip through — an excellent way to pass time,” Rivers writes.

“His waiting room should also have comfortable, clean seating, current magazines, nicely arranged, and some soothing music piped in. You’ll be spending a lot of time there. Why shouldn’t every aspect of the experience be pleasant?”

Finally, she issues two warnings which every woman must follow. “Warning #1: I beg you, do not be tempted by the classified ads in the newspaper, the type that screams, ‘Three-Area Lipo, No Money Down!’ The low prices might catch your attention. But is hiring a surgeon the right time to go bargain hunting? As a plastic surgeon friend puts it, “Doctors know what they’re worth, and they create a price list based on that.

“Warning #2: Get ready for sticker shock. The flat belly of your dreams? It may cost you the price of a renovated bathroom. A breast reduction? That’s your anniversary vacation in Paris. A year of Botox Cosmetic? Good-bye Hamptons rental. It’s about priorities. Do you want a new face or a new patio? Even if you’ve got a two-hour commute, you’ve got a twenty-four-hour face.”

If only Tara Reid had read Rivers’ book before she had the botched boob job…

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

If you are considering plastic surgery, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon | Boston Plastic Surgeon | Charlotte Plastic Surgeon | Chicago Plastic Surgeon | Dallas Plastic Surgeon | Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon | Miami Plastic Surgeon | Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon | New York Plastic Surgeon | Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon | Phoenix Plastic Surgeon | San Francisco Plastic Surgeon | Seattle Plastic Surgeon | Washington, DC Plastic Surgeon | See More Cities

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The Benelli Breast Lift is a tasteful alternative to the normal breast lift.

If the thought of having your nipple raised several centimeters higher on your chest so that other people will think you have higher breasts is appealing, then the Benelli lift may be exactly what you need. The beauty part, as they say, is that the scars are placed around the areola area, so they are practically invisible. The Benelli breast lift, also known as the concentric or peri-areolar lift, is also less invasive than most other types of breast uplifts, and can cost considerably less.

Benelli Breast Lift Basics

The Benelli breast lift (“doughnut mastopexy”) is basically cosmetic surgery in which the skin “brassiere” is reshaped. It involves having a small doughnut-shaped piece of tissue removed from around the border of the areola. The surrounding tissue is then stitched to the areola itself using small purse-string like sutures, so that the nipple appears raised.

If you think this all sounds a bit nasty, you’re right! In some cases, the surgeon may also want to give the breasts an extra lift by removing another crescent-shaped piece of tissue from the top bit of the areola (nastier still). Some women may also choose to have implants inserted at the same time while they are under the knife to have not only perkier breasts but bigger ones as well. Please note that most surgeons think an implant is the only way to achieve fullness in the breast’s upper quadrant – this cannot be done through mastopexy alone.

The operation as a whole should take anywhere from two to three hours and is performed under local anesthesia, although sedation is also used at the same time – so you won’t see your nipple being sliced. Women can normally return to work within a week although some bruising is to be expected, as well as some redness and feeling of numbness in the breastal area. In some cases there is an accompanying loss of sensitivity, which may be permanent, and there is always the risk of infection and skin necrosis.

Be advised that the tightening of the purse-strings in this procedure can cause a wrinkling or even pleating of the skin, which in some cases can be permanent. That is why it works best in women who have smaller breasts – also because it can give the breasts a more rounded shape.

If you are considering this op, it is imperative that you get professional surgical advice to make sure that it is really the right procedure for you. Don’t choose it simply because it is less invasive or can cost less – that will hardly matter if the outcome is far from what you desire.

Benelli Lollipop

This type of op is for people whose breasts sag that little bit more, when the skin elasticity is slightly more stretched. In this case, the nipple will have to be raised more to achieve the perkier look. It is good for women who have larger breasts compared to those who would require only a simple, stream-lined Benelli, but is not suitable for very large-breasted gals.

The surgeon will make an incision around the entire areola, not just on the top bit, as well as making a vertical scar, down the front of the breast. Obviously, scars will be more noticeable with a lollipop lift, although there will be a lot less scarring than that of a complete mastopexy, which would involve an anchor incision and corresponding anchor-like scar. The two incisions in this lift are thought to resemble a lollipop on a stick, which is how it gets its name.

Cautionary Advice

Breast lifts are only realistic options for some people. You are a potentially good candidate for a breast lift of any sort if you have breasts which are:

• saggy and/or droopy
• elongated and/or flat
• have lost shape and/or volume

Health considerations should also be taken into account. Only have a mastopexy if you:

• are not a smoker
• are not prone to keloid scarring
• maintain a reasonable weight
• are not planning to lose a lot of weight in the near future
• have realistic expectation about what cosmetic surgery can do for you
• are in good overall health
• are free of certain pre-existing health conditions
• are in good mental health

Having any type of cosmetic surgery is a difficult to decision to make, and one that you should only have carried out after thinking long and hard about what you really, really want. While cosmetic surgery often can enhance a person’s self-esteem, there are other ways to achieve a better self-image than by re-shaping your body through costly and often dangerous surgical means.

Remember, having a breast uplift means trading in droopiness for scars – so make sure you will be happy with the trade-off before having anything done. The type of mastopexy you will have will depend on the amount of droop as well as the cause, and you will also need to choose whether you also are interested in having breast augmentation or reduction done at the same time.

If you are considering having plastic surgery of any kind, do your homework first and have an in-depth consultation with a qualified, Board-certified surgeon who is experienced in performing exactly the type of operation you want done. Alternatively, if gravity has really taken its toll on your breasts, you could always consider moving to another planet. Uranus is supposed to be nice this time of year…

If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon near you, check out the links below!
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon | Boston Plastic Surgeon | Charlotte Plastic Surgeon | Chicago Plastic Surgeon | Dallas Plastic Surgeon | Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon | Miami Plastic Surgeon | Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon | New York Plastic Surgeon | Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon | Phoenix Plastic Surgeon | San Francisco Plastic Surgeon | Seattle Plastic Surgeon | Washington, DC Plastic Surgeon | See More Cities

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You're having surgery abroad because it's cheaper: that doesn't mean choosing the cheapest, nastiest place you find to save a few more bucks.

Well, here’s what a lot of people are doing: they are combining exotic foreign holidays with having plastic surgery abroad. Even as cosmetic surgeons are offering financing options for cosmetic surgery wannabes in the midst of the current financial crisis, for some people expensive surgery just isn’t possible, even on an installment plan. And why not stay in a five-star resort in Brazil or Barbados as you recover, rather than in a shared room in your dingy local hospital?

The advantage: not only do you save money and get both surgery and holiday for the price of one, but you can heal in relative anonymity, without the intrusive stares at your scars from friends and family. The disadvantage: the surgery may be slipshod, and could result in disfigurement or even death.

If you’re planning to become a cosmetic surgery tourist, the advice is to play it safe. Here are a list of dos and don’ts to keep in mind before you book that procedure – and that flight…

DOs
Everything you should do beforehand to ensure your experience is as safe, productive and even enjoyable as possible, and that you are happy with the outcome…

DO rely on friends and family who have been there before. Word-of-mouth is often the best advice you can get in this situation. If someone has been to your chosen clinic or hospital with positive results, chances are you’ll have a similar experience. At home you would meet the surgeon face-to-face, so try to meet someone who has done this already before you make a final decision.

DO try and do as much research into your chosen location as possible, and talk to people on the phone beforehand, especially if nobody you know has been there before. You don’t want to get there and find that nobody speaks English – and end up with a face lift instead of a butt lift (or vice versa).

DO check out your insurance beforehand, and make sure you are fully covered in case anything happens to you while you’re away. You should also make sure your insurance will cover you for any medical complications abroad. If needed, get extra insurance well in advance of your departure. Find out also what recourse you will have if you find your surgeon has been negligent.

DO ensure that you leave full contact details with friends back home. Even if you want your surgery to be a secret – which is why some people choose to have it done abroad, as per above – you still need to let someone know where you are.

DO look into the implications that travel will have on your health. If you are planning to have liposuction, for example, it will not be safe to fly for a while because of the risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis. Taking a long-haul flight the day after a major nose job is probably not a good idea either. And if you have butt-lift surgery or vaginal reconstruction, think twice before reserving a (hard) seat on a 12-hour flight the following afternoon. Find out everything you need to know before you go.

DON’Ts
Mistakes you shouldn’t make, and pitfalls you should avoid before leaving the safe shores of home for unknown cosmetic climes…

DON’T go somewhere too remote, in case anything happened to you. You don’t want to be far away from home with no emergency health access, lying in a hospital in the middle of an inaccessible – and inhospitable – desert or jungle. And remember that a clinic that specializes in plastic surgery may not be able to carry out the procedures necessary to save your life if something goes wrong.

DON’T book the surgery without checking first for any “hidden” extras. It may look cheaper, but once you book in the cost of hotel bills, travel expenses etc, it might make more sense – and cents – to stay at home. Also, it might cost a lot more to fix a botched job over there than over here.

DON’T go without investigating the credentials of your chosen surgeon. He or she may have impeccable ones, having studied at Harvard medical school before spending 25 years in private practice with a 100 percent-satisfied client list and spotless safety record. On the other hand, some countries have less strict regulations and licensing procedures than we do in the US, and you may not get the person you hoped for.

DON’T choose the cheapest option. When it comes to your looks, your health and even your life, money should not be the decisive factor. You’re having surgery abroad because it’s cheaper: that doesn’t mean choosing the cheapest, nastiest place you find to save a few more bucks.

DON’T go without discussing the operation in detail with a plastic surgeon at home, as well as with your own physician. Most surgeons offer free consultations; take advantage of this and try to find out all you can about your chosen op before you go, including the possible risks and complications as well as the right after-care procedures. And take notes!

Taking advantage of cheaper cosmetic surgery costs abroad can be a great way to see the world and get bigger boobs while you’re at it. But don’t just jump at the first bargain package on offer. You get what you pay for, and you want to pay for safe, correct surgery that will leave you looking healthy and looking even more beautiful, not a botched nightmare of an operation.

Getting the right information well in advance is vital, and will give you the confidence you require to travel without fear. Do your homework carefully and be prepared, don’t just close your eyes, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Good luck!

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And it’s thanks to plastic surgery that we’ve been able to witness once idolized pop stars like Michael Jackson transform before our eyes into a pale ghoulish atrocity – haunting the covers of magazines and giving children nightmares. So we’ve decided to explore this dark underbelly of celebrity by bringing you the biggest plastic surgery disasters of the stars.

Carrot Top

Carrot Top never really had that much going for him in the first place. When he first appeared on the comedy scene in the early 90’s, he was a pale, freckled, red-headed and sickly looking comedian with an obnoxious style. But that just makes it all the more disturbing to see his recent transformation into a body-building, plastic surgery-addicted whacko.

The comedian is said to have undergone a dizzying array of operations including Botox, Browlifts, chemical peels and laser treatments. He also clearly has a love affair with the tanning bed, though that’s understandable considering it helps hide his jarring freckles.

As a result of his procedures, he stands out in the typically modest world of comedians as a freakish orange-tinted Hulk. But it still might have been a good move considering if it weren’t for his rise to fame as a plastic surgery disaster, any career his burning orange hair provided would probably have fizzled by now.

Dolly Parton

Despite her prolific career in country music, acting and philanthropy, Dolly Parton has recently gained notoriety as a plastic surgery fiend – and she’s not afraid to admit it. “If I see something sagging, bagging and dragging, I’m going to nip it, tuck it and suck it,” she had said. “Why should I look like an old barn dog if I don’t have to?!”

Well, to answer her question – because now you look like a plastic old barn dog! And at the ripe old age of 63, she’s undergone facelifts, breast implants, rhinoplasty, Botox, and many, many more in an attempt to rid herself of that barn dog look.

And why, you ask, would such a talented woman subject herself to all of these surgeries? For the fans, of course! Or at least that’s what she says – though if that’s true, it seriously makes me wonder as to what kind of people her fans are. Probably taxidermists.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers may be 75 years old, but she doesn’t look it. That’s because she no longer looks human in general.

This comedian, actress and talk show host from New York has done it all when it comes to plastic surgery and she’s proud of it, as evidenced from the title of her new book Men Are Stupid… And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery.

But while men might be stupid, and like big boobs, it’s still somewhat disturbing to see such a high-profile celebrity advocating plastic surgery as the best path to beauty – especially since there’s a fine line between tweaking one’s nose and sculpting your entire face over as if it were clay.

However, at least she has a sense of humor about it, as illustrated by her appearance in a car insurance commercial in which she slaps her hands to her face and exclaims “I can’t feel my face!”

If she’s going to be in a commercial, it might as well be one about car wrecks.

Michael Jackson

This one’s a no-brainer. Unless you’re a hermetic monk in the hills of Tibet, you’ve undoubtedly witnessed Michael Jackson’s transformation from a young black man to a creepy white picture of crazy.

But in addition to changing the color of his skin, he’s also undergone extensive facial reconstruction surgery that has reduced his nose to a nostril, raised his cheekbones to his eyebrows and given him a generally skeletal look.

Michael Jackson’s devolvement into his current state is really considered a tragedy by most, as his brilliant music career imploded and his godlike pop-star status gave way to controversy surrounding accusations of child abuse, but it’s hard to sympathize with a guy who looks like one of the zombies out of the music video for Thriller.

Jocelyn Wildenstein

What does $4,000,000 in plastic surgery look like? Jocelyn Wildenstein.

It’s a sad state of affairs when you rise to fame because of your extensive plastic surgery, but that’s the case with this uber-rich socialite who was crowned with the title of “World’s Scariest Celebrity” by the British tabloid Daily Mail. We may never know what was going through Jocelyn’s brain when she decided to run this plastic surgery marathon, nor may we ever know if a brain is even left inside that pile of wax she calls her head, but we can safely bet that she is one messed up woman.

Do you know of a celebrity that didn’t make this list? Post them in the comments section below! And be sure to check out the companion article Plastic Surgery for the Strange!

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Now there’s a solution. While the concept of a “boob job” for most people conjures up images of turning triple-A mosquito bites into double-D bazookas, some women would like nothing more than just the opposite. Known as mammoplasty reduction, or breast reduction, this inverse boob job makes big breasts smaller, giving large-chested women a new lease on life by giving them – and others – something else to focus on apart from their bosom.

Now that we’ve got that off our chest, let’s continue…

All About Breast Reduction Surgery

Reduction mammoplasty seeks to reduce the size of the breasts by taking away excess glandular tissue, fat and skin. In rare cases the operation can be done simply through liposuction, when the fat is literally sucked from the body using a small hand-held device that works a bit like a vacuum cleaner. But this can only occur when the breast is large purely due to fat build-up, and there is no excess skin that needs to be excised, or cut off.

While different techniques are employed, the most common type of breast reduction surgery involves making a large T- or anchor-shaped incision that goes around the areola, or outside of the nipple, down toward the crease between the breast and the abdomen, then horizontally underneath the breast. Smaller breasts may require a vertical incision only, which means the bigger you are, the more scarring.

In the case of exceedingly large and/or droopy breasts, the surgeon will remove the nipple, take away some breast tissue and skin, raise the part of the breast that’s left, then put the nipples back using a skin graft. It will be positioned higher, so it will appear natural. The good news is that you won’t have a nipple adjacent to your armpit, the bad news is that you may suffer nerve damage and lose all sense of feeling if this happens, and may also be unable to breastfeed in future.

A reduction mammoplasty takes up to four hours and is performed under general anesthesia. When it is over the breasts are wrapped in a supportive undergarment, and as dissolvable stitches are often used you may not need to have them removed. Drains may be left in each breast for up to two days.

Interestingly, the amount of fat taken from each breast often differs, as breasts are not always the same size. In fact, breast reduction surgery can also be performed when one breast is larger than the other, to make them appear more symmetrical. If that’s the case you may not want breast reduction surger: another option is an implant to make the smaller one larger so you have a matching pair.

After-Care and Risks

Women having this operation are advised not to undertake strenuous activities or indulge in heavy-lifting for at least six weeks, and to wear support bras without underwiring during this time. You will be given painkillers when you leave the hospital, as well as follow-up appointments to make sure everything is healing well and that the drains are emptying properly.

It’s considered best to wait to have the operation until you reach the grand old age of 20 at least, giving the breasts time to fully develop. Women should also abstain until they have had all the children they want, and should be fully aware that having a reduction mammoplasty could make breastfeeding difficult, or even impossible (see above). Some surgeons argue that the ability to breastfeed won’t be affected in the slightest, but there is actually no guarantee.

Women with pendulous breasts that tend to droop may opt instead for a breast lift, or mastopexy, in which excess skin is removed and surrounding tissue tightened to lift and raise the breasts. This can work well when breasts are not overly large, but obviously is not recommended if you want to reduce size as well as reshape.

Risks for a standard reduction mammoplasty include:

• Scarring. The severity of the scars will depend on the patient, but they usually fade over time. Be aware that people with darker skin run a greater risk of keloid scarring.
• Infection. Risk can be reduced by taking antibiotics before surgery.
• Nipple necrosis, or loss of nipple. This means that the skin on the nipple dies, but this complication is, thankfully, exceedingly rare.
• Hematoma. This can happen if the drains inserted into the breast do not drain away all the blood properly. Blood can collect underneath the breast and become painful. Further surgery will needed to have the clot drained.
• Loss of nipple sensation. Happens in rare cases. In even rarer ones, patients may experience nipple hypersensitivity.
• Breast asymmetry. This is not common but can be corrected if need be.
• Problems associated with general anesthesia. Any surgery requiring a general anesthetic carries this risk. You can reduce it by not smoking and losing weight before surgery.
• Be aware that estrogen therapy, or HRT, can sometimes cause breasts to grow again, and in some cases women have needed repeat breast reduction surgery.

While breast reduction surgery may sound scary and a bit off-putting, the vast majority of women are satisfied with the outcome. An estimated 104,000 breast reductions were carried out in 2006, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the number is still growing. Indeed, a greater percentage of women are satisfied with breast reduction surgery than they are with breast enlargement operations.

While people often mistake a reduction mammoplasty as pure cosmetic surgery, the end goal is not purely aesthetic. Women who had successful breast reductions had reduced back and shoulder pain, fewer headaches, and significantly less numbness in the breast as well as breast pain. It was a help to them not only aesthetically and physiologically but emotionally as well, raising their self-esteem and boosting their confidence (and the number of revealing tops in their wardrobe!). Those who had small bodies in proportion to their breasts were those who gained the biggest results.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.

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Why Women Have Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery can be a confidence boosting, mentally uplifting option for many women. The main reason that women consider different breast reconstruction surgery options is to enhance the appearance of their breasts. However, every woman’s reasons for wanting to do so may vary. Some women may simply be unsatisfied with the way that their breasts look. Others may be unsatisfied or unconfident with the way that they look after having breast cancer surgeries, such as mastectomies or lumpectomies, which may alter the appearance of their breasts.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery Options

If you’ve already decided that you want to enhance the appearance of your breasts, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the different breast reconstruction surgery options that are available to you. Since every woman’s situation is different, the surgery options that are available to her may vary. Here are three of the breast reconstruction surgery options that you may want to know more about:

Breast Implants

Breast implants are, by far, the most well known breast reconstruction surgery option. This procedure involves inserting a saline or silicone implant beneath the skin. Unlike a few of the other breast reconstruction surgery options, implants do require two surgeries. First, a balloon will need to be inflated beneath the skin. This is to ensure that there will be enough room for the permanent implant, which will be inserted at a later date.

Despite the two required surgeries, the implant procedure does offer a few benefits. The operations themselves may only take between 30 and 60 minutes. Only a two-day stay will be required in the hospital. Recovery should take place within two to three weeks, which is relatively short in comparison to many of the other breast reconstruction surgery options.

Although breast implants can be ideal for some people, it’s not the best choice for everyone. It is one of the breast reconstruction surgery options that does not always work effectively and can provide unnatural results. Multiple surgeries, in addition to the two routine parts of the operation, are often necessary for the desired results.

Transverse Rectus Abdominal Musculocutaneous (TRAM) Flap

TRAM Flap is one of the most common breast reconstruction surgery options performed. The procedure works by creating a new breast from the muscle, fat and skin of the abdominal area. There are both pros and cons associated with TRAM Flap.

Of all the breast reconstruction surgery options, TRAM Flap takes the longest amount of time. Four to six hours are required for it to be performed. Additionally, five to seven days will need to be spent in the hospital. Recovery time is about six weeks. Since this is a major surgery, women who choose this breast construction surgery option should be very healthy.

Although TRAM Flap takes a lot of time to perform and recover from, it is known to produce the most realistic appearance. Reshaping is often unnecessary because the results will usually be close to perfect and permanent. One of the reasons that this is also considered one of the most ideal breast reconstruction surgery options is because the tummy will also become flatter.

Latissimus Dorsi (LD) Flap

Another one of the breast reconstruction surgery options that is available to choose from is LD Flap. This procedure usually works through a combination of two methods. Muscle, skin and fat from the back are used to create a new breast. Usually, saline or silicone implants also need to be used in order to create a breast that is large enough.

LD Flap is one of the breast reconstruction surgery options known to produce very good results. If any implants are used, it’s possible that they may need to be fixed in the future. Usually, however, the breast will look very natural because real skin is being used.

In terms of how long it takes to undergo and recover from surgery, LD Flap is the most moderate of the three breast reconstruction surgery options. It takes a longer time than implant surgery, but less time than TRAM Flap surgery. You can expect it to take three to four hours to perform, a two to three day hospital stay and three to six weeks to recover from. Women should be healthy before considering this as one of the breast reconstruction surgery options.

How to Decide Which Option is for You

To determine which of the breast reconstruction surgery options is right for you; several factors need to be taken into consideration. Depending on what type of results you are hoping for, a specific type of surgery may or may not be for you. Your health at the time will also need to be taken into consideration, because you should be ready for moderate or major surgery for two of these surgery options. It’s also important to consider which of the breast reconstruction surgery options can provide you with the longest results. Before making a decision, it’s important to have a thorough conversation with your doctor about which breast reconstruction surgery is ideal for you.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.

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