How young is too young for cosmetic surgery? This is a question that is asked with a great deal of regularity, probably because there is not simply one answer.
However, if you are asking this question, whether you are a teenager who wants cosmetic surgery or their parent, then the simple answer is probably that now is still too young!
(I'll assume that you are not one of those dreadful parents who are trying to get their kids to get cosmetic surgery...)
There are a number of factors that cause a person to wish to get cosmetic surgery, which can be outlined as follows:
Your features, especially your facial ones, appear to have a flaw that makes you stand out from the crowd, but not in a good way. This could be a lack of balance or symmetry, the nose could be too large compared to the rest of the features, or perhaps the bum seems too flat for the size of the hips and waist.
In other instances, cosmetic surgery is felt to be an option for turning back the clock. The face lift is the most obvious example of this, but there are many other examples as well, including eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), breast lift surgery, hair transplant surgery and wrinkle removal.
Or maybe some feature has been damaged by an accident, for instance a broken nose, chipped teeth, a torn earlobe, and so on.
The final example of a reason that people may choose to get cosmetic surgery is where the patient actually looks quite normal, and what they want is quite simply to look more stunning!
All of these reasons for getting cosmetic surgery are quite legitimate, and there is no reason to consider one more valid than another. However, when it comes to teenage cosmetic surgery, we do have to be a bit more careful, and analyze the motives of the patient a little more.
Where a teenage feels that they are looking old for their years, this is probably the most concerning, and we should be careful that there is not an underlying psychological reason behind their wish for surgery. In the unlikely instance that a teenager is looking ravaged beyond their years, it will be better to be looking at the causes of this, rather than dealing with the cosmetic aspect.
Where a teenage potential patient knows that they look normal, but would like simply to look more beautiful, this is okay, and quite common, but they should be encouraged to wait. It is very normal for people to find that they "grow into" their appearance, and as we get older, many of us learn to love our imperfections, or at least accept them.
Surgeries that generally should be avoided while still growing include nose reshaping surgery, as very frequently a nose that seemed too big for the face when younger can seem more in proportion later on. For obvious reasons, breast surgery should definitely be a no-no until the mid-twenties at least. Cheek implants and similar should be discouraged until all "puppy fat" has gone, so again that is likely to be a bad idea until well into one's twenties. When the youthful fat has disappeared, the features can suddenly gain definition that they didn't have before.
There are those cosmetic procedures where it has become more acceptable, and even encouraged, to have while young. Ear pinning surgery is one of those, as it is one of the safer surgical procedures. Similarly, cosmetic dental work is often a good idea to have while young.
Where cosmetic surgery reaches its closest proximity to reconstructive plastic surgery, it becomes far easier to accept it as an option for young people. There is no compelling reason why a child should have a badly crooked nose as a result of an injury, or torn ear cartilage due to an earring being pulled out, and this should not be fixed until adulthood. This becomes more a matter for the parents to decide, finances permitting.
But in instances like these, it is quite possible that the benefits the child may get from the increase in confidence may pay dividends for their whole life. The important thing is that each separate case is looked at on an individual basis, and the benefits are weighed up against the risks and disadvantages.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Friday, 20 August 2010
Why Transumbilical Breast Augmentation May Not be the Best Idea
Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, also known as its achronym TUBA, is one of those ideas that seems to good to be true.
Many women all over the world are drawn to the idea of breast augmentation, but are deterred by the idea of the scarring that inevitably takes place during the breast implant procedure.
Recent developments, however, allow cosmetic breast surgeons to insert the implants without creating any scarring to the breasts at all.
The technique that makes this possible is Transumbilical Breast Augmentation. Instead of the normal procedure, where incisions are made to the underside of the breast, at the natural crease, or around the areola, the only incision to be made is at the belly button. Due to the location, scarring is virtually invisible, and it is this that makes the idea so appealing to many women.
The TUBA technique is a very modern way of performing a breast augmentation procedure. Through the small incision at the navel, tunnel is created in the subcutanous fat, right the way up to the breast region. This is done using an endoscope, a tube with a light and a camera attached, so that the surgeon can watch the procedure on a monitor as it is performed.
It is this passageway through which the breast implants are inserted.
There are, however, several disadvantages to Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, that may cause you to rethink, and get a more conventional method of breast enhancement. One of these is that due to the method of inserting the breast implants, there is less choice of types of implant. A cohesive silicone gel implant is out of the question, as they are pre-filled, and would be to large for the apperture in the navel. This means that you are limited to getting saline implants, which often have a shorter lifespan, and can have a less realistic feel and appearance. Certainly, most cosmetic surgeons regard the cohesive silicone gel implant as the gold standard.
More worryingly, it seems that there is a far higher chance of the implants not being placed correctly, due to the way the the operation is performed remotely. It appears that a far higher proportion of implants placed transumbilically end up requiring revision work. This revision work all too frequently cannot be performed through the original incisions in the navel, and the end result is the same scarring to the breasts as would have occurred using normal incision techniques.
The same applies if the the implant is rejected by the body. The implants will have to be removed via incisions to the breasts.
There is an argument that these kinds of complications are more the result of less competent surgeons attempting Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, and this may be correct to an extent. Whenever you get any form of surgery, it is essential that the surgeon is experienced in that exact operation procedure. But it is also a fact that many reputable cosmetic surgeons who experimented with this technique have since stopped offering this option to their patients, believing the disadvantages to outweigh the benefits.
A golden rule, when considering cosmetic surgery is that the first priority is function, and then form. Scarring should come a distant third. So although the idea of breast augmentation without scarring may sound ideal, you should really think it through. Transumbilical Breast Augmentation may end up being more trouble than it is worth!
Many women all over the world are drawn to the idea of breast augmentation, but are deterred by the idea of the scarring that inevitably takes place during the breast implant procedure.
Recent developments, however, allow cosmetic breast surgeons to insert the implants without creating any scarring to the breasts at all.
The technique that makes this possible is Transumbilical Breast Augmentation. Instead of the normal procedure, where incisions are made to the underside of the breast, at the natural crease, or around the areola, the only incision to be made is at the belly button. Due to the location, scarring is virtually invisible, and it is this that makes the idea so appealing to many women.
The TUBA technique is a very modern way of performing a breast augmentation procedure. Through the small incision at the navel, tunnel is created in the subcutanous fat, right the way up to the breast region. This is done using an endoscope, a tube with a light and a camera attached, so that the surgeon can watch the procedure on a monitor as it is performed.
It is this passageway through which the breast implants are inserted.
There are, however, several disadvantages to Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, that may cause you to rethink, and get a more conventional method of breast enhancement. One of these is that due to the method of inserting the breast implants, there is less choice of types of implant. A cohesive silicone gel implant is out of the question, as they are pre-filled, and would be to large for the apperture in the navel. This means that you are limited to getting saline implants, which often have a shorter lifespan, and can have a less realistic feel and appearance. Certainly, most cosmetic surgeons regard the cohesive silicone gel implant as the gold standard.
More worryingly, it seems that there is a far higher chance of the implants not being placed correctly, due to the way the the operation is performed remotely. It appears that a far higher proportion of implants placed transumbilically end up requiring revision work. This revision work all too frequently cannot be performed through the original incisions in the navel, and the end result is the same scarring to the breasts as would have occurred using normal incision techniques.
The same applies if the the implant is rejected by the body. The implants will have to be removed via incisions to the breasts.
There is an argument that these kinds of complications are more the result of less competent surgeons attempting Transumbilical Breast Augmentation, and this may be correct to an extent. Whenever you get any form of surgery, it is essential that the surgeon is experienced in that exact operation procedure. But it is also a fact that many reputable cosmetic surgeons who experimented with this technique have since stopped offering this option to their patients, believing the disadvantages to outweigh the benefits.
A golden rule, when considering cosmetic surgery is that the first priority is function, and then form. Scarring should come a distant third. So although the idea of breast augmentation without scarring may sound ideal, you should really think it through. Transumbilical Breast Augmentation may end up being more trouble than it is worth!
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
How to Find a Reputable Cosmetic Surgeon
You've decided that you want to get cosmetic surgery, you have worked out that you can afford it, either by getting a loan, or getting your surgery abroad, to save on the costs. But the most critical point is one that people do often overlook, or leave to the last minute. Namely, making sure that your cosmetic surgeon is reputable!
So, how do you do this?
One popular method is using a referral service. A good referral service will have already vetted the cosmetic clinics, making sure that everything is above board. This can be invaluable, particularly if you are planning to get surgery overseas.
Another important thing to do is make sure that you see some examples of the plastic surgeon's previous work. There are many, very talented salespeople in the field of cosmetic surgery, and not all of them work entirely ethically. Actually seeing the results of the surgery you are considering will let you know:
a) Whether the surgery will give you the results that you want.
b) Whether your expectations are realistic.
c) If the amount of scarring will be acceptable.
d) Last, but definitely not least, the standard of surgery that the clinic works to, along with the level of experience in that particular area.
You should not consider the operation unless it is apparent that the cosmetic surgeon is very experienced, qualified and accredited. And by this, I mean in the exact field of surgery.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. A good, reputable cosmetic surgeon will be only too happy to explain all of the risks. Don't let yourself be pressured by heavy-handed sales tactics. A reputable cosmetic surgery clinic should not be trying to aggressively sell, and you must allow yourself time to consider all the options.
However experienced and qualified the cosmetic surgeon is, there is always a possibility of complications, as there is with any surgical procedure. You should be sure to understand whether any revision to the surgery will be included in the price, should it become necessary.
Making sure that you have found a good surgeon, at a reputable clinic, will make it that much more probable that your cosmetic surgery experience is a positive one.
So, how do you do this?
One popular method is using a referral service. A good referral service will have already vetted the cosmetic clinics, making sure that everything is above board. This can be invaluable, particularly if you are planning to get surgery overseas.
Another important thing to do is make sure that you see some examples of the plastic surgeon's previous work. There are many, very talented salespeople in the field of cosmetic surgery, and not all of them work entirely ethically. Actually seeing the results of the surgery you are considering will let you know:
a) Whether the surgery will give you the results that you want.
b) Whether your expectations are realistic.
c) If the amount of scarring will be acceptable.
d) Last, but definitely not least, the standard of surgery that the clinic works to, along with the level of experience in that particular area.
You should not consider the operation unless it is apparent that the cosmetic surgeon is very experienced, qualified and accredited. And by this, I mean in the exact field of surgery.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. A good, reputable cosmetic surgeon will be only too happy to explain all of the risks. Don't let yourself be pressured by heavy-handed sales tactics. A reputable cosmetic surgery clinic should not be trying to aggressively sell, and you must allow yourself time to consider all the options.
However experienced and qualified the cosmetic surgeon is, there is always a possibility of complications, as there is with any surgical procedure. You should be sure to understand whether any revision to the surgery will be included in the price, should it become necessary.
Making sure that you have found a good surgeon, at a reputable clinic, will make it that much more probable that your cosmetic surgery experience is a positive one.
Male Cosmetic Surgery
It used to that cosmetic surgery was of interest only to women. How much this has changed! It turns out that nowadays, men are almost as likely to consider aesthetic surgery, with the top surgery procedures for men being male breast reduction (gynecomastia surgery), hair transplant surgery, rhinoplasty and chin augmentation.
So what has changed?
I guess we're all more conscious about our appearance, and nobody wants to look their age, but the main reason for this as advertising and the media. Men in commercials definitely seem to look more chiseled, recently, and the same applies increasingly to the leading men in the top Hollywood films.
Women, too, expect a higher standard of grooming in men, while pressure in the work place to appear young and dynamic must also play a part in this upsurge in interest in male cosmetic surgery.
How do we actually feel about this?
If we are honest with ourselves, most men probably miss the days when we didn't have to pay much attention to our appearance. Men were not supposed to try to hard aesthetically, but how this has changed. There are so many cosmetic products now available for men, now making the sorts of rejuvenating claims that we laughed at when applied to female cosmetic products.
Now we are supposed to be concerned if we look tired? Worrying about hair loss and middle-age spread was enough!
The other thing is that we are increasingly short of time, so going to the gym, eating properly, getting enough sleep, all seem a little far-fetched...
So it is no wonder that so many men are now resorting to the scalpel, in order that we look on the outside the way we feel, or would like to, on the inside.
Search Google for "cosmetic surgery for men", and there are millions of pages devoted to this subject. It's quite clear that the times have changed, and that male cosmetic surgery is here to stay.
So what has changed?
I guess we're all more conscious about our appearance, and nobody wants to look their age, but the main reason for this as advertising and the media. Men in commercials definitely seem to look more chiseled, recently, and the same applies increasingly to the leading men in the top Hollywood films.
Women, too, expect a higher standard of grooming in men, while pressure in the work place to appear young and dynamic must also play a part in this upsurge in interest in male cosmetic surgery.
How do we actually feel about this?
If we are honest with ourselves, most men probably miss the days when we didn't have to pay much attention to our appearance. Men were not supposed to try to hard aesthetically, but how this has changed. There are so many cosmetic products now available for men, now making the sorts of rejuvenating claims that we laughed at when applied to female cosmetic products.
Now we are supposed to be concerned if we look tired? Worrying about hair loss and middle-age spread was enough!
The other thing is that we are increasingly short of time, so going to the gym, eating properly, getting enough sleep, all seem a little far-fetched...
So it is no wonder that so many men are now resorting to the scalpel, in order that we look on the outside the way we feel, or would like to, on the inside.
Search Google for "cosmetic surgery for men", and there are millions of pages devoted to this subject. It's quite clear that the times have changed, and that male cosmetic surgery is here to stay.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Cosmetic Surgery Finance
Cosmetic Surgery Finance is big business, there's no two ways about it. A culture of instant gratification seems to have given rise to us taking out loans for anything and everything, and this includes finance for surgery or medical treatment.
Is Cosmetic Surgery Finance okay?
This really does depend, but generally I would say that if you can't afford your cosmetic surgery at the moment, maybe now is not the best time. Too many people get themselves caught-up in no end of bother with credit, and with something like cosmetic surgery, the risks are that much greater.
I know that as a patient we don't really want to think about it too much, but with surgery, there is always the risk of something going wrong. What if you find yourself unable to work for a period after your surgery? This is definitely something you ought to be thinking about. This would be bad enough at the best of times, but when you've got a brand-new loan that you need to start making the repayments on...?
To me, at least, that just sounds like unnecessary stress. Probably the only time that finance for surgery might sensibly be considered would be for weight-loss surgery.
If you are seriously overweight, and the surgery is for the sake of your health, then perhaps there is an argument that the surgery can't wait, and that your health is the most important thing.
Even so, do be careful about who lends you the money for your surgery. There are many unscrupulous finance companies out there, so be careful who you choose. The "zero credit rating" ones are frequently the worst. Do read all the small print. And you should always take out payment protection. That way, if the worst happens, and your cosmetic surgery has complications, at least you won't have to worry about making the payments for your cosmetic surgery loan!
Visit Cheaper Cosmetic Surgery Abroad.com for more information about cosmetic and plastic surgery.
Is Cosmetic Surgery Finance okay?
This really does depend, but generally I would say that if you can't afford your cosmetic surgery at the moment, maybe now is not the best time. Too many people get themselves caught-up in no end of bother with credit, and with something like cosmetic surgery, the risks are that much greater.
I know that as a patient we don't really want to think about it too much, but with surgery, there is always the risk of something going wrong. What if you find yourself unable to work for a period after your surgery? This is definitely something you ought to be thinking about. This would be bad enough at the best of times, but when you've got a brand-new loan that you need to start making the repayments on...?
To me, at least, that just sounds like unnecessary stress. Probably the only time that finance for surgery might sensibly be considered would be for weight-loss surgery.
If you are seriously overweight, and the surgery is for the sake of your health, then perhaps there is an argument that the surgery can't wait, and that your health is the most important thing.
Even so, do be careful about who lends you the money for your surgery. There are many unscrupulous finance companies out there, so be careful who you choose. The "zero credit rating" ones are frequently the worst. Do read all the small print. And you should always take out payment protection. That way, if the worst happens, and your cosmetic surgery has complications, at least you won't have to worry about making the payments for your cosmetic surgery loan!
Visit Cheaper Cosmetic Surgery Abroad.com for more information about cosmetic and plastic surgery.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Ethnic Nose Job Surgery
One of the big trends in Cosmetic Surgery at the moment is cosmetic surgery aimed towards various ethnicities.
In recognition of the fact that people from different ethnic backgrounds have different physical characteristics, a whole niche is springing up around this area. The main areas within cosmetic surgery where people are aiming to look different from their natural ethnic background are in skin whitening, eye surgery, and most popular of all, rhinoplasty. The "ethnic nose job" is becoming increasingly popular, particularly amongst black and Asian people.
I must confess that this idea of the ethnic nose job does make me feel a little uneasy. Why is it that so many African-Americans should feel that their nose is too wide to be attractive? Why should an Asian woman feel that her nose ought to be more Caucasian? Is there really any need for this kind of nose-reshaping surgery, when the patient actually looks completely normal?
There is a sense, for me, that the cosmetic surgery industry must take a portion of the blame for this. We have encouraged people to feel that anything that they don't like about their appearance can, and maybe even should, be changed.
But I do think that the media must shoulder more of the blame. The media decides what is, and isn't (currently) beautiful, and people do unfortunately follow. That an industry has sprung up to fill a need is just capitalism.
Cosmetic surgeons do, however, have a responsibility to advise patients about whether surgery is necessary or advisable. But somehow I suspect that it will be minority of surgeons who would advise that an ethnic nose job may be totally unnecessary.
I would say that people from a particular ethnic background ought to be able to judge their appearance on the basis of what is normal within their particular racial background, if indeed they must judge themselves at all. It is certainly much healthier to accept one's appearance as it is.
Still, it looks as though the ethnic nose job is here to stay, and if you are going to be altering your ethnic appearance, I guess it is better to do so with rhinoplasty than it is with something more extreme, such as the craze for leg-lengthening surgery that is catching on in South East Asia, an idea that, frankly, appalls me!
In recognition of the fact that people from different ethnic backgrounds have different physical characteristics, a whole niche is springing up around this area. The main areas within cosmetic surgery where people are aiming to look different from their natural ethnic background are in skin whitening, eye surgery, and most popular of all, rhinoplasty. The "ethnic nose job" is becoming increasingly popular, particularly amongst black and Asian people.
I must confess that this idea of the ethnic nose job does make me feel a little uneasy. Why is it that so many African-Americans should feel that their nose is too wide to be attractive? Why should an Asian woman feel that her nose ought to be more Caucasian? Is there really any need for this kind of nose-reshaping surgery, when the patient actually looks completely normal?
There is a sense, for me, that the cosmetic surgery industry must take a portion of the blame for this. We have encouraged people to feel that anything that they don't like about their appearance can, and maybe even should, be changed.
But I do think that the media must shoulder more of the blame. The media decides what is, and isn't (currently) beautiful, and people do unfortunately follow. That an industry has sprung up to fill a need is just capitalism.
Cosmetic surgeons do, however, have a responsibility to advise patients about whether surgery is necessary or advisable. But somehow I suspect that it will be minority of surgeons who would advise that an ethnic nose job may be totally unnecessary.
I would say that people from a particular ethnic background ought to be able to judge their appearance on the basis of what is normal within their particular racial background, if indeed they must judge themselves at all. It is certainly much healthier to accept one's appearance as it is.
Still, it looks as though the ethnic nose job is here to stay, and if you are going to be altering your ethnic appearance, I guess it is better to do so with rhinoplasty than it is with something more extreme, such as the craze for leg-lengthening surgery that is catching on in South East Asia, an idea that, frankly, appalls me!
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Cosmetic Surgery Price Guide - How To Find the Best Prices
The are numerous websites on the internet that purport to be a Cosmetic Surgery Price Guide. These types of sites are often a very good way for the potential cosmetic surgery patient to work out what types of prices are likely, and to help them pay the lowest prices possible.
However, a few words of warning. What these cosmetic surgery price guides tell you is unlikely to be the full story, for a number of reasons.
Even the most well-trained cosmetic surgeon will only be able to ascertain what surgery is involved after a proper consultation with the patient. Prior to discussions about what sort of results are desired from cosmetic surgery, and about any issues that may arise, and the price that even the best cosmetic surgery websites can deliver is necessarily a ball-park figure.
The issue of how to effectively give a price for any cosmetic procedure becomes even more clouded when discussing cosmetic surgery abroad. Some clinics offer packages, which may or may not include accommodation, some clinics even offer pick-ups from the airport. You really do need to take all of these factors into consideration when comparing different cosmetic surgery price guides.
When some clinics of cosmetic surgery offer an all-inclusive package at one price, and another is only charging for the surgery, how does one compare the prices? And between clinics in different countries, how do you put a value on accommodation costs in different countries with different going rates?
Another thing many people often find if organizing cosmetic surgery through a referral service is that that fees to the referrer are not always transparent, and are calculated in different ways.
For instance, one referral service might charge a flat fee to arrange cosmetic surgery, while with another referrer, there may not be a visible fee at all, as it is factored into the pricing of the cosmetic surgery clinic, and money would be passed to the referrer upon your booking.
Sometimes a cosmetic surgery clinic will include the costs for the anesthetic, if that is required, and surgery that requires an overnight stay may or may not be included in the price.
As you can see, it is not as easy to interpret a cosmetic surgery price guide as it would immediately appear. When arranging cosmetic surgery, you should always take care to make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for, as sometimes it is possible to get a nasty surprise!
Visit Cheap Cosmetic Surgery Abroad for Information, Articles & Price Comparisons.
However, a few words of warning. What these cosmetic surgery price guides tell you is unlikely to be the full story, for a number of reasons.
Even the most well-trained cosmetic surgeon will only be able to ascertain what surgery is involved after a proper consultation with the patient. Prior to discussions about what sort of results are desired from cosmetic surgery, and about any issues that may arise, and the price that even the best cosmetic surgery websites can deliver is necessarily a ball-park figure.
The issue of how to effectively give a price for any cosmetic procedure becomes even more clouded when discussing cosmetic surgery abroad. Some clinics offer packages, which may or may not include accommodation, some clinics even offer pick-ups from the airport. You really do need to take all of these factors into consideration when comparing different cosmetic surgery price guides.
When some clinics of cosmetic surgery offer an all-inclusive package at one price, and another is only charging for the surgery, how does one compare the prices? And between clinics in different countries, how do you put a value on accommodation costs in different countries with different going rates?
Another thing many people often find if organizing cosmetic surgery through a referral service is that that fees to the referrer are not always transparent, and are calculated in different ways.
For instance, one referral service might charge a flat fee to arrange cosmetic surgery, while with another referrer, there may not be a visible fee at all, as it is factored into the pricing of the cosmetic surgery clinic, and money would be passed to the referrer upon your booking.
Sometimes a cosmetic surgery clinic will include the costs for the anesthetic, if that is required, and surgery that requires an overnight stay may or may not be included in the price.
As you can see, it is not as easy to interpret a cosmetic surgery price guide as it would immediately appear. When arranging cosmetic surgery, you should always take care to make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for, as sometimes it is possible to get a nasty surprise!
Visit Cheap Cosmetic Surgery Abroad for Information, Articles & Price Comparisons.
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