Plastic Surgery Boston Blog

New Study Suggests Liposuction Increases Risk of Unhealthy Weight Gain

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Briana

It’s no secret that liposuction results in rapid fat loss. But according to a new study, abdominal liposuction may put you at a higher risk for gaining unhealthy fat – if you’re sedentary.

The study, published by Brazilian researchers at the University of Sao Paulo, found that women who have undergone abdominal liposuction may actually gain deeper “visceral” fat which surrounds the abdominal organs. Visceral fat is often associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Fat is not “inert tissue,” said study leader Fabiana Benatti of the University of Sao Paulo. “Removing it by surgery may have important consequences, such as the compensatory growth of visceral fat.”

But there’s good news – regular exercise can prevent this fat from developing after liposuction.

The study followed 36 normal-weight women who elected liposuction to remove localized stomach fat. Prior to surgery, each of these women prescribed to a mostly sedentary lifestyle. Two months following surgery, half of the women were randomly assigned to an exercise group, while the remaining half resumed their sedentary lifestyle.

Four months later, both groups still exhibited flatter stomachs, but those who remained sedentary were already showing signs of visceral fat gain – approximately a 10 percent increase. The exercise group on the other hand, showed no signs of visceral fat gain.

More research is needed to replicate these findings, but that shouldn’t deter you from initiating a healthy diet and exercise routine. This will maintain the long-term benefits of your liposuction procedure.

Liposuction results can dramatically improve the appearance of your abdomen, thighs, hips back and neck. Learn more about liposuction in Boston.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Posted in In the News, Liposuction | Tagged liposuction, plastic surgery research study | Leave a comment

Tips for Financing Your Plastic Surgery

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Briana

So you’ve decided on the procedure and you found the doctor. But how do you pay for it all? Financing your plastic surgery procedure can be one of the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make prior to surgery.

Unless you’re seeking out reconstructive surgery following a traumatic accident or illness, it’s unlikely that your insurance will cover even a small portion of your procedure.

“Consumers should be aware that cosmetic surgery is not covered under insurance, so all of the expenses must be paid out of pocket,” says Kevin Kautzmann, a certified financial planner.

Fortunately, when you can’t technically pay out of pocket, there are options, according to Fox Business.

If you’re willing to shop around, a credit card can end up being a savvy choice. Health care or medical credit cards, which can only be used to cover medical expenses, have seen a recent surge in popularity for plastic surgery patients.

These cards often come with 0% interest promotions, as well as reasonable interest rates and payment plans. Additionally, these cards often give lenders “a sense of control if they tend to overspend,” because they are limited to medical purchases, according to Billy DeFrance, a financial planner in El Paso.

Taking out a personal loan to cover expenses related to your procedure may also be a good option. Bank loans often have fixed interest rates as well as fixed repayment periods. This can add up to less interest, and build your credit at the same time.

Though most doctors request payment in full prior to surgery, it doesn’t hurt to ask if you can setup a payment plan. In some cases, doctors provide patients with repayment plans that offer more flexibility than other payment methods.

If all else fails, saving up the cash for your procedure may just be smartest choice. “It may not be sexy, but the best answer for most people is to save each month until you have the bill covered—then get the procedure done,” says financial adviser Michael Masiello.

Are you considering plastic surgery? Learn more about financing your plastic surgery procedure in Boston.

Posted in Financing Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgeon - Boston | Tagged financing plastic surgery | Leave a comment

Herbal Supplements May Cause Safety Concern For Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Patients

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Briana

Men and women are consuming herbal supplements and remedies at greater rates than ever before. And while many patients choose these “natural” treatments for their long term health benefits, they fail to recognize that these supplements can still pose health hazards.

Like prescription medication, herbal supplements can have drug-like effects on the body. This also means they can cause negative side-effects, especially for patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Unfortunately for plastic surgeons, many patients fail to mention all of their herbal or homeopathic remedies prior to surgery, placing them at a higher risk for complication.

“Many patients don’t disclose their intake of herbs or supplements, and they are often not aware of the risk of complications, which can seriously compromise surgical outcomes and patient safety,” said Dr. Foad Nahai, MD, editor-in-chief of Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

A new book entitled “Bleeding Risks of Herbal, Homeopathic, and Dietary Supplements: A Hidden Nightmare for Plastic Surgeons?” released by researchers at Loma Linda University aims to address this very issue for plastic surgeons and patients.

Even herbs that are considered generally safe can have dangerous side effects under the wrong conditions. For instance, some herbs are capable of interacting with anesthesia or other medications commonly used during surgery, negatively affecting the operation or causing surgical complications.

Before undergoing a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, it is essential to provide your plastic surgeon with full disclosure when it comes to your daily health routine. Some potentially dangerous herbs and supplements prior to surgery may include Chinese peony, ginko, ginger, garlic, ginseng, wintergreen and Saw palmetto.

If you are taking a supplement which may increase dangerous bleeding effects, your plastic surgeon may ask that you wash off for at least three weeks prior to surgery. Certain minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections may also be affected by herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Prior to your consultation, making a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as any herbal supplements you have taken in the past month will ensure safer conditions for your cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.

Learn more about cosmetic plastic surgery in Boston.

Source: ASAPS

Posted in Plastic Surgeon - Boston | Tagged herbal supplements and plastic surgery | Leave a comment

Chin Augmentation Sees Surge

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Briana

In the past year, chin surgery has seen a surprising surge in popularity among all demographics, making it one of the fastest growing trends in the plastic surgery industry. With a nearly 71 percent increase, chin augmentation has grown more than breast implants, Botox and liposuction combined.

Chin augmentation was equally popular among both men and women in 2011, with approximately 10,593 men and 10,087 women electing to undergo the procedure. Also referred to as mentoplasty, chin augmentation is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape the chin. It is frequently sought out by those who are wishing to achieve a more harmonious balance of their facial features.

Chin augmentation also has undeniable anti-aging benefits, which may have contributed to its surge in popularity, especially among those over 40 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

“The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging. People are considering chin augmentation as a way to restore their youthful look just like a facelift or eyelid surgery,” said ASPS President Malcolm Roth.

The digital age of video-chatting may also be a contributing factor. Men and women who are connecting with other people both socially and professionally on Skype and other popular video-chatting technologies are seeing themselves more often and in a more animated manner.

“We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be. Chin implants can make a dramatic difference.”

The increased interest in chin augmentation follows a more gradual growth in the plastic surgery industry. Cosmetic procedures saw roughly a 5 percent increase across the board in 2011.

Sources: Fox News and the ASPS

Posted in Facial Surgery | Tagged chin augmentation, chin surgery | Leave a comment

More Couples Seeking Liposuction and Other Plastic Surgeries

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Briana

Couples plastic surgery is gaining momentum. Just last year, nine percent of all cosmetic procedures were elected by male patients. It’s clear that male plastic surgery no longer carries the same social stigma it once did, and plastic surgeons are seeing more and more men coming in for consultations with their wives or girlfriends.

“Men are often initially introduced when they come in with their wives, who are looking at having this or that done. When the husband is in there, he sees some of the information, and then he sort of gets interested. Then, when the wife comes in for a post-operation appointment, we’ll talk about his eyes or neck,” said Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a board-certified plastic surgeon in California.

Liposuction Ranks Top Plastic Surgery Procedure

Liposuction in particular, has grown immensely in popularity over the past few years among both men and women. In 2011, over 300,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the U.S., exceeding the number of breast augmentations for the first time since 2008, according to recent statistics released by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

In addition to liposuction, the most popular anti-aging procedures for women in the past year included tummy tucks and eyelid procedures. For men, eyelid surgery was also at the top of the list, as well as male breast reduction, according to the ASAPS.

Though couples plastic surgery is not a trend that been recognized by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, most plastic surgeons who have noticed this trend between couples agree that their patients are typically between their late 30s and early 60s.

Find out more about liposuction in Boston.

Source: LA Times