Endoscopic plastic surgery minimizes incision size using an endoscope functions as a viewing device. It consists of a tubular probe fitted with a tiny camera and bright light, which is inserted through a small incision; and a viewing screen to magnify the transmitted images of the body’s internal structures. The surgeon watches the screen while moving the tube through the surgical area.

Advantages of Endoscopy

Because it involves smaller incisions, endoscopy leaves very minimal scarring. To insert the probe, only a few incisions less than one inch long are required. For procedures such as breast augmentation, only two incisions may be necessary. Shorter incisions also reduce risk of sensory loss due to nerve damage. Also, bleeding, bruising and swelling may be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, the recovery period tends to be shorter with no need for an overnight hospital stay. Many endoscopic procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.

Special consideration and risks

The endoscopic plastic surgery approach has only recently been applied to plastic surgery procedures. There are some known risks, which vary in severity depending on the procedure being performed. These include infection, fluid accumulation beneath the skin (which must be drained), blood vessel damage, nerve damage or loss of feeling, internal perforation injury, and skin injury.

And, keep in mind that if a complication occurs at any time during the operation your surgeon may have to switch to an open procedure, which will result in a more extensive scar and a longer recovery period. However, to date, such complications are rare—estimated to occur in less that 5 percent of all endoscopic procedures.



Thanks to Dave Stringham for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Advancement in cosmetic surgery has spawned wide interest. Plastic surgery procedures are now safer, more affordable and more convenient. You have many options for plastic surgery. However, choosing the right cosmetic surgeon and appropriate treatment can be difficult with out proper guidance. The following is advice for beginners looking into plastic surgery.

Plastic Surgery Advice for Beginners

When it comes to plastic surgery, avoid a rushed decision. As many cosmetic procedures involve permanence, careful thought is a necessary component of the decision-making process. Examine the reasons you are considering plastic surgery. Is this a choice that you’re comfortable with?

Advice for Beginners Looking Into Plastic Surgery: Research

It’s important to make an informed decision about any cosmetic surgery procedure. Start by gathering information online. Web sites such as DocShop.com are places where patients can educate themselves about various medical treatments. Discover the benefits and limitations associated with the cosmetic procedure in question. Learn the risks and weigh the pros and cons.

Advice for Beginners: Schedule a Plastic Surgery Consultation

A consultation is required before any plastic surgery procedure. This is also a perfect opportunity to ask questions and air concerns. Be forthright about your interest in the treatment of choice. Tell the cosmetic surgeon why you feel the procedure is necessary. Describe your desired results.

Your doctor will conduct a medical examination, evaluating your overall health. As part of the consultation, the surgeon will describe realistic results, along with potential complications associated with the procedure. Other treatment options may also be introduced. For example, facial plastic surgery candidates have various options, depending on the condition of the skin. The surgeon will want to customize the best treatment to achieve desired results.

Advice for Beginners Looking Into Plastic Surgery: Find an Experienced Surgeon

A skilled cosmetic surgeon is essential for a positive experience with plastic surgery. Request credentials from the surgeon. A qualified plastic surgeon is board certified by an accredited association, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Ask questions about the level of expertise regarding your desired treatment. Ask to see a portfolio of plastic surgery photos.

What Makes a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

A good candidate for plastic surgery is fully informed about the benefits, limitations and risk. Candidates for cosmetic surgery are in good physical health, with a grounded outlook regarding the results. To ensure a successful outcome, patients are expected to follow pre and post operative directions.

Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has helped millions restore confidence about physical appearance. While medical advancement in the field of cosmetic surgery has increased safety, there is no surgery without risk. Possible complications vary for each procedure. Common risks may include scarring, infection, allergic reaction to the anesthesia and numbness. Be sure you understand the specific risks for the cosmetic procedure in question.

While plastic surgery has many benefits, treatment must be chosen for the right reasons. Cosmetic surgery is not a proxy for positive self-image. It will not cure depression or win a job promotion. There is also a chance you may be dissatisfied with the results.

How Much Does Plastic Surgery Cost?

The cost for plastic surgery varies according to geographic location, the surgeon’s experience and difficulty of the procedure involved. Since cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure, it’s unlikely that the cost is covered by insurance. However, financing options are available. Ask your surgeon or visit DocShop.com for details.



Thanks to Keion Moradi for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Who in their right mind would go to Mexico for plastic surgery? After all, isn’t it a third world country?

Mexico is not exactly a first world country, but, at least in its metropolitan areas, it is far from a third world country.

It is also home to a fine medical school at the University of Guadalajara, where a lot of American students receive their medical degrees. Guadalajara is also the location of the prestigious Institute of Reconstructive Surgery which has been educating physicians from around the world in the latest surgical techniques for over 35 years.

Guadalajara alone has more than 75 certified plastic surgeons and most of the hospital facilities are first rate. Another benefit is the culture of care you will find in Mexico. Unlike most US doctors who seem to be in an eternal rush to get their patients out of their offices, in Mexico doctors spend time listening to their patients’ needs and responding to their concerns.

Most of the doctors in Mexico speak at least a little English. Many of them have taken graduate courses or have done their internships and/or residencies in the States. Some are Board Certified by US licensing agencies.

In addition to Guadalajara, there are many fine plastic surgeons in Mexico City and the northern city of Monterrey. There are also many clinics along the Texas, Arizona and California borders, but there you are taking a bigger chance that the care will not be first rate. If you are considering a border clinic, take extra care in checking out the physicians and the facilities.

The cost of a face lift in Guadalajara is about $2500 US. A full suite of services including lifting the eyelids and forehead will run about $6000. These include your hospital or clinic stays.

Even Botox injections are substantially cheaper.

There are services such as Airlift, Inc., which is owned by a nurse, which arrange everything for you, from your flight down, your accommodations while in the county and the doctor, nursing and hospital fees.

In many cases, you can arrange to recuperate in a pleasant facility with round the clock nursing care. By the time most of the swelling and bruising are under control, you will be ready to return home with your new look.

There is a downside however. One of the reasons US care is so expensive is malpractice lawsuits. One of the reasons that Mexican procedures are so cheap is that malpractice is not recognized in Mexico. So, if something does go wrong, you will have no recourse.

However, thousands of Americans, Canadian and even residents of South America flock to Mexico every year for face lifts and other cosmetic procedures. I have been living part time in Mexico for over nine years and have many friends who have had successful surgeries.

Check out the credentials of any physician you are considering carefully, Try to get references. If possible visit one of these cities beforehand so that you can become familiar with the facilities available and you can meet with some of the plastic surgeons.

There is a large ex-patriot community in and around these cities. You can always find help and references by visiting with some of these residents, who are among the biggest consumers of this type of care.

If you have a little sense of adventure and wish to save thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery, Mexico might be the place for you.

For more information on plastic surgery, visit http://www.ageless-beauty.com/ antiaging-cosmetic-procedures.html



Thanks to Jean Bowler for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Breast Augmentation Average Cost

Desperate people can do desperate things when consumers become more savvy and sophisticated as they shop around for the very best deals offered on websites promoting surgical procedures.

That’s right folks; you can offer a bid for that eye lift or tummy tuck on Bidforsurgery.com, just like you would bid on a piece of jewelry or camera equipment on eBay. If you select to pursue a bid, you are entitled to a free in-person consultation with the physician of your choice. This forum is designed to save the consumer time, money and effort thus saving the doctors administrative and marketing costs.

Insurance companies do not typically reimburse plastic surgery fees leaving the consumer to fend for the best deal with their hard earned cash. Prudent consumers can be thrifty and conservative when spending after tax dollars for a temporary face lift or other risky procedure that will undoubtedly need repeating in a few short years.

Another new wrinkle – no pun intended – was developed for the jet setting consumer who believes that they can enjoy a quiet surgical tweak in a foreign clinic where their dollar may go further because of low-cost, high-quality procedures. Sites like MedRetreat.com and PlanetHospital.com will book your appointment with a doctor then take care of the travel requirements such as passport and visas, airline tickets and hotel.

Life altering choices coupled with risk is a high price to pay for beauty especially when unrealistic claims and unqualified practitioners induce patients to make uneducated decisions. Even certain medical professionals are policing themselves and re-thinking their position on cutting into a healthy face for the sake of beauty.

Safety needs to be highly regarded for every surgical procedure and The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has published a checklist for those considering plastic surgery; it is the acronym entitled ‘S.U.R.E.’ We have seen similar admonitions from our US health officials and these are reminders of those warnings:

S: Surgeon’s credentials and qualifications.

U: Understand fully the procedure, risk, location, downtime and care requirements.

R: Recovery process, how long, implications, after care options

E: Expectations can be over the top so be informed about what actually can be achieved.

All in all, warnings such as these are not needed when you use natural means to correct the cause of aging.

Some aging in the face is from outside influences such as over exposure to the sun and elements, smoking, drinking, poor eating habits, lack of water in the diet, too many adult beverages night after night, and the list can go on and on.

Some aging presents itself like sagging and this is caused because the muscles underneath your skin are elongating due to atrophy/disuse. The facial muscles, although small compared to say muscles in the forearm or leg, can cause noticeable aging when they begin to lose those their shape and tone so by the time you reach 40, apparent aging has begun in your face.

Rather than opt for risky, temporary procedures such as injections and surgical treatments that tax your wallet, why not consider facial exercise to lift your face? You won’t have to book an expensive trip or run the risk of contracting Montezuma’s revenge or interview countless physicians hoping one of them can work with your budget and health constraints.

Exercises that use resistance and isometrics work for your body and the same principles can be applied to the face. It makes sense. Imagine seeing the face you had years ago returning day by day when you exercise your face.

The key to a younger, healthier looking face is prevention using a natural, safe method such as facial exercise to lift the sagging, droopy muscles without injections, harmful chemicals or cutting. Start now for a better looking face almost instantly!

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, 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.



Thanks to Cynthia Rowland for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Plastic Surgery Tips

A breast implant is a prosthesis used to enlarge the size of a woman’s breast; one of many types of breast plastic surgery. If you’re considering breast plastic surgery, it’s important to know all the pros and cons related to the type you want. Non-cosmetic clinical indications for the use of breast implants are for breast reconstruction, sex reassignment surgery, and for abnormalities, usually congenital, that affect the shape and size of the breast.

Since the saline implants are empty when they are surgically inserted, the scar is smaller than is necessary than for the silicone gel breast implants which are already filled with silicone before they are placed. In the mid 1980s, advances in manufacturing principles brought about elastomer-coated shells to decrease gel bleed, and are filled with thicker, more cohesive gel; these implants are sold under restricted conditions in the U.S. and Canada, and are widely used in other countries. Dr. Thomas Cronin and Dr. Frank Gerow, two Houston, Texas, plastic surgeons, developed the first silicone breast prosthesis with the Dow Corning Corporation in back in 1961.

In the 1970s plastic surgeons wanted softer and more lifelike implants so breast implants were redesigned with thinner gel and thinner shells; these implants had a greater tendency to rupture and leak, or “bleed” silicone through the implant shell into the body cavity and complications such as capsular contracture were common. There are two primary types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-gel-filled implants. Compared to silicone gel implants, saline implants are more likely to cause cosmetic problems likes rippling and wrinkling, and can be noticeable to the eye or to the touch.

Saline-filled implants are the most common implant used in the United States due to some restrictions on silicone implants, which may change, but are seldom used in other countries. For women with very little breast tissue, or for post-mastectomy reconstruction, plastic surgeons believe that silicone gel implants are the superior device; but in patients with more breast tissue, saline implants can look very similar to silicone gel implants.

Capsules of tightly-woven collagen fibers form as an immune response around a foreign body like breast implants, which tends to wall it off; capsular contracture happens when the capsule tightens and squeezes the implant. The risk and treatment of extracapsular silicone gel is still controversial; plastic surgeons agree that it’s difficult to remove, but there is disagreement about the lasting health effects. Countries outside of the United States have not endorsed routine MRI screening, and have taken the position that MRI’s should be reserved only for cases involving suspected clinical rupture or to confirm mammographic or ultrasound studies that suggest rupture.

The age and design of the implant are important factors in rupture, but estimating rupture rates of contemporary devices has been difficult for a variety of reasons, mainly because implant designs have changed somewhat over time. One study reported that only 30 percent of ruptures in asymptomatic patients are accurately detected by experienced plastic surgeons, compared to 86 percent detected by MRI. When breast implants are removed that have been implanted for a long period of time, a mastopexy is often performed to tighten up the loose skin: this is additional surgery usually done at the same time and at an additional expense.

Thousands of women claim they have become ill from their breast implants; complaints include neurological and rheumatological problems. Some studies have suggested that subjective and objective symptoms of women with breast implants may improve partially or entirely when their implants are removed.

When breast implants are removed that have been implanted for a long period of time, a mastopexy is often performed to tighten up the loose skin: this is additional surgery usually done at the same time at an additional expense. Since the early 1990s, a number of independent reviewers have examined studies concerning links between silicone gel breast implants and systemic diseases; the consensus of these reviews is that there is no clear evidence of a causal link between the implantation of silicone breast implants in breast plastic surgery and systemic disease; it’s always wondered who is funding these studies and that should clearly be stated.

Just a reminder; breast augmentation is an elective cosmetic breast plastic surgery. Although the international consensus is that silicone implants in breast plastic surgery has not been shown to cause systemic illness, one must keep in mind that many women have reported a connection to symptoms they are having and to their breast augmentation. After breast plastic surgery, depending on the level of activity required, patients are usually able to return to work or school in about a week, sometimes sooner.



Thanks to Helen Hecker for contributing this article to our Plastic Surgery blog:

Tummy Tuck Surgery