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

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.

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

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.

“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

Of the patients of evaluated, approximately 60 percent elected to undergo liposuction alone, while 35 percent underwent a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty. The remaining 5 percent underwent abdominoplasty alone.

Lead researcher, Eric Swanson, MD, found that patients who elected a combination surgery of both liposuction and abdominoplasty, felt the most satisfied with their results. Over 99 percent of these patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their procedure, with an average score of 9 out of 10, compared to 8 out of 10 for liposuction only patients. Additionally, when asked if they would undergo their surgery again, 98 percent of those who underwent combination surgery said yes.

Overall, 86 percent of the 360 patients surveyed stated they felt improved self-esteem following their procedure, while 70 percent also felt their quality of life had improved. This was especially true for individuals who underwent combination surgery.

Few studies have been able to capture the satisfaction rates of patients following liposuction and abdominoplasty, alone or in combination. Through additional research, Dr. Swanson hopes that doctors will be able to more effectively communicate post-surgical expectations to patients undergoing widely performed cosmetic surgery procedures.

Learn more about tummy tucks and liposuction in Boston.

In a country still greatly affected by extreme poverty, free Botox injections, laser hair removal and other cosmetic procedures might seem gratuitous, but not according to Dr. Nelson Rosas of The Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine in Rio de Janeiro.

“What’s a wrinkle? Something minor, right? Something with precious little importance, but when we treat the wrinkle, that unimportant little thing, we’re actually treating something very important – the patient’s self-esteem.”

The Brazilian government is also involved in the allocation of free or discounted plastic surgery procedures. State-funded health care covers the cost of several surgeries to repair congenital deformities, as well as reconstructive procedures following injury. The senate is also considering covering the full cost of breast reconstruction after cancer.

While plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures may improve self-esteem, many experts worry that free or discounted procedures coerce patients into procedures and surgeries without weighing the actual risks versus benefits. Free or discounted surgeries are often performed by young doctors looking to refine their skills.

“The word ‘beauty’ in Brazil kind of obscures the fact that you’re talking about real surgery,” Alexander Edmonds, an anthropology professor at the University of Amsterdam and author of “Pretty Modern: Beauty, Sex and Plastic Surgery in Brazil.” “The problems and risks of surgery are often minimized, and these operations tend to be seen like a ‘beautification’ like any other, which of course they’re not.”

Risky or not, long lines of low-income Brazilians form every year outside of hospitals eager to apply for free or discounted plastic surgery. Once approved, individuals may wait several months, or even years before undergoing their procedure.

Learn more about plastic surgery in Boston.

Source: The Washington Times

Sientra’s silicone breast implants have been approved for breast augmentation in women 22 years of age and older, as well as for breast reconstruction in women of all ages. Sientra plans to offer implants in numerous shapes and sizes, in addition to the traditional round implants offered by Allergan Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

FDA approval of Sientra’s silicone implants was a long time coming after years of controversy surrounding the long term safety of silicone implants. Initially banned in 1992 amid speculation that silicone implants may cause cancer and other harmful diseases, silicone implants have been deemed safe and on the market since 2006.

“Data on these and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” said William Maisel, deputy director for science at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Per the FDA, Sientra has agreed to conduct post-market clinical studies to determine the long term safety and effectiveness of their silicone breast implants. The risk of rare diseases and illness will also be recorded in these post-market studies.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 307,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed last year, making the saline verses silicone debate an even more relevant concern for the FDA.

If you are considering breast augmentation, it is important to weight factors such as cost, incision size, consistency and the ability to detect rupture, when deciding on saline or silicone breast implants. Your plastic surgeon will be able to aid you in the decision-making process during your consultation.

Learn more about silicone breast implants in Boston.

Source: fda.gov

So what procedures has she really had? Rivers had no problem opening up on this topic – she’s had two facelifts, breast reduction and a tummy tuck. She also admitted to getting dermal fillers every six months as a maintenance routine. When asked why she’s been so open over the years about her plastic surgery procedures, she had this to say:

“We’re in a society where looks count… And all the beautiful women lie and say ‘I’ve done nothing’ and that is so unfair. And I just want women to know it’s okay, do it.”

Rivers also had some advice for those in search of a plastic surgeon:

• Ask your hair dresser for advice because he or she can see the scars from plastic surgery
• Look your plastic surgeon up on the internet and make sure there are no outstanding law suits
• Interview your plastic surgeon and make sure he or she is compassionate
• Arrange a meeting with the anesthesiologist

In the opening episode of her reality show Joan and Melissa, Joan Knows Best, Joan bares all and shows the audience a step-by-step look at what plastic surgery entails from start to finish. “I wanted to people to see what it really was about.”

When asked if she feels that means justify the end result, she answered yes, with no hesitation. “I think it gives you such self-esteem. It makes you feel good. It’s a very happy experience.”

Learn more about plastic surgery in Boston.

Regular mammograms are the most effective way to detect instances of breast cancer in women. You should never have to sacrifice your health for beauty, which means women may need to take additional steps when seeking out regular mammograms after breast augmentation.

Mammograms must be performed in a special way for women after breast augmentation in order to see the breast tissue effectively. If performed incorrectly, it is possible for mammogram screenings to provide inaccurate results for these women. Factors such as implant placement, type of mammogram technique utilized and technician training and expertise can all affect the results of the mammogram.

According to ImplantInfo.com, women who have undergone breast augmentation should take certain precautions when seeking out mammograms. If you have breast implants, you can assure more accurate breast cancer screenings by following the steps below:

• Ask your plastic surgeon if he or she can give you a referral for your mammogram
• Verify that the staff is properly trained and certified to give mammograms
• Explain to the staff, prior to your appointment, that you have had breast augmentation
• If possible, request to work with a technician that has experience with breast implants
• Remind your technician that you have breast implants prior to your mammogram

In addition to regular mammograms, women with breast augmentation should follow the same breast care guidelines as women who do not have implants. Monthly self-examinations should be implemented, and mammograms should be performed at the recommended intervals – initiating at age 35 and then continuing annually after age 40.

Learn more about mammograms after breast augmentation in Boston.

Source: Times Union