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Did you know that liposuction, or just lipo, is one of the most popular aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed on women and men in the United States? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), almost half a million people underwent lipo in 2007. Many people turn to this procedure because dieting and exercise have not given them the results they are looking for. Lipo removes fatty tissue from areas of the body that don’t respond to diet and exercise.

Lipo is a contouring procedure and is not to be considered a weight loss method. It is best for people who are at a normal weight and who have skin that is still firm and elastic, yet simply want to remove fat deposits in certain areas. Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of the procedure. They should also be physically healthy and mentally stable.

Consult a plastic surgeon about the risks and complications before you make any decisions regarding having this reconstructive surgery done. You should evaluate your reasons for wanting to enhance your looks, since plastic surgery is not for everyone. The surgeon you choose should discuss any questions or concerns you may have and give you an idea of the benefits and risks of having liposuction.

There are four lipo techniques that have been developed to help create a slimmer and more proportioned body contour. They are tumescent, ultra-sonic assisted, super-wet and power-assisted lipo.

The tumescent technique involves injecting a large amount of anesthetic liquid into areas of excess fat before lipo is performed. This liquid contracts blood vessels and causes fat to become swollen. The expanded fat pockets let the surgeon’s tool travel smoothly under the skin to remove the fat.

During the ultra-sonic assisted procedure, ultrasound waves break up the fat before it is removed. This method uses a combination of vibration energy and heat energy on fat. It is commonly used when a secondary procedure is needed and targets fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or male breasts.

The super wet method is similar to the tumescent technique, where fluid is injected into the tissues prior to it being suctioned away. The only difference is that less fluid is used.

Power-assisted lipo is the latest advance in fat removal. During this procedure, a wand-type instrument is used to quickly break up fatty tissue. It loosens up the fat cells so that they can be gently suctioned away without causing trauma to the surrounding tissues.

As with all plastic surgery procedures, the risks and complications associated with lipo vary, depending on the method used. Generally, the most common risks include blood clot formations on the leg, excess blood loss, bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, asymmetry, hyper-pigmentation, swelling, necrosis and numbness.

Most people feel some discomfort after the liposuction procedure, but are able to return to work within three or four days. As the body heals, usually within four to six weeks, the results of the procedure will emerge. Generally, you will feel more confident in your appearance and enjoy your new look once the healing process is complete. Just remember to do your research and become well informed before undertaking any type of cosmetic plastic surgery.

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Confidence gives you an added bounce to your step. When you look good, you feel good about yourself and who doesn’t want to feel good about how they look? If you are unhappy with your nose or your eyelids droop a bit, then your confidence level may be low. With the help of facial plastic surgery, it is possible to get that confidence back. The most common type of facial cosmetic surgery is the nose job. Over 300,000 men and women underwent rhinoplasty in 2008 alone.

As with any type of facial plastic surgery procedure, the best candidates for nose surgery are those who want a general improvement in their appearance, not perfection. A person should be in good physical and mental health, and have realistic expectations before undertaking any type of aesthetic plastic surgery. It is important to remember that most surgeons won’t perform surgery of the nose on a patient until they have finished growing. This is typically at age 17 or older for males and 16 or older for females.

Reconstructive surgery of the nose usually takes around one to two hours and is performed under a general or local anesthetic. You may have it at a hospital or at an outpatient surgical center. Nose surgery can be performed one of two ways; either through an open or closed technique. It will depend on your condition and what your surgeon prefers.

The open technique can give the good results if the plastic surgeon performing the procedure has good visibility of the internal structure of the nose. Small surgical incisions are made inside the nostrils and across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.

The closed technique can be completed almost without any scarring. It is favored by many doctors because it doesn’t require an external incision. If the closed technique is performed, the healing time is relatively quick, though swelling can be more prominent and may take longer to go away than with the open technique.

The possible risks and complications are typically minor with surgery of the nose, though all plastic surgery procedures carry side effects and risks. These can include numbness, infection, a negative reaction to anesthesia, excessive nose bleeding, the need for a another procedure, swelling, bruising and delays in healing.

Regardless of which surgical technique is used, after it is done, a splint is applied and the nose is packed lightly with surgical gauze. Changing the gauze bandages a few times each day during the first few days following cosmetic plastic surgery is important because you may have some minor bleeding. Within a few days, most patients are able to resume light activity, but do keep in mind that it could take several weeks before the nose is completely healed.

Facial plastic surgery provides permanent results for people who are unhappy with their appearance. It could, however, take over a year before accurate results can be determined because healing is typically a slow process. The healing of nasal tissues, increased or decreased blood flow, skin thickness and other factors determine the length of the process. Remember that the most important choice you make is in choosing the surgeon to perform your surgery.

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What prompts tens of thousands of men and women to undergo cosmetic plastic surgery every year? Is it the visible signs of aging seen on faces and necks? The effects of gravity, years of stress and sun damage can be seen in our faces as we age. Although it is impossible to defy getting older, men and women who are seeking improvement can elect to take matters into their own hands and have facial plastic surgery. Most commonly known as a face lift, it can remove excess fat, tighten underlying muscles and re-drape the skin.

Without a doubt, patients with realistic expectations and clear goals in mind are the best candidates for any type of cosmetic surgery, and especially a face lift. People should know that while it is true that a face lift can make you look years younger, it will not restore you to the health and vitality of your younger days.

Your number one goal is to find the most experienced surgeon for the facial plastic surgery. He or she is the deciding factor in the success or failure of a face lift. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons can help you search for the doctor that fits you best at their website at www.plasticsurgery.org. It is as simple as browsing through their database to find a qualified doctor in your area.

A traditional face lift can take several hours or longer to perform, depending on how many procedures you have at the same time. With this type of face lift, the surgeon will separate the skin from the fat and muscle below, and then go onto trim or suction fat from around the neck and chin to improve the contours of those areas. Your surgeon will then tighten the underlying membrane and muscle and then pull back the skin and remove anything that is in excess. Your surgeon will then stitch the layers of tissue securely, closing the incisions.

Smoking is absolutely forbidden when undergoing any type of aesthetic plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery. It is imperative that patients who smoke quit at least two weeks before surgery, and not smoke for at least two weeks afterward. Nicotine inhibits the healing process by restricting blood vessels in the face and can have adverse consequences.

So what should you expect after the procedure? The dressings should remain in place for the first 48 to 72 hours. Generally, any drains will be removed when the dressing is changed for the first time. Relaxation is extremely important following a face lift. You should rest or sleep the first two days after your surgery. It is important for the head to remain elevated and immobile in order to keep swelling to a minimum. Most people return to work in about two to three weeks after their plastic surgery procedures.

If you are considering facial plastic surgery, then you may want to remember that time does not stand still, and you will continue to age after the procedure. It is hard to determine how long the results of the initial face lift will last. While some people are happy with a single face lift throughout their lifetime, others may decide that a second procedure, five to ten years down the road, is in order.

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Finding a good plastic surgeon that you have total confidence in can be tough. The most important question you will want to ask is whether he or she is a board certified plastic surgeon. Why does it matter? Plastic surgery is an elective surgical enhancement that is serious and irreversible so confidence in the abilities of your surgeon is paramount. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has a listing of all board certified surgeons in your area to help you get all the facts. It is your job to arm yourself with knowledge in order to receive the most satisfying outcome.

A surgeon must meet stringent requirements in order to become a board certified plastic surgeon through the ASPS. The baseline education requirements include graduation from an accredited medical school and completion of five or more years of additional residency. Inside those five years of residency, he or she must have a minimum of three years of general surgery experience in an accredited program, as well as two years of plastic surgery experience in a residency program. On top of those requirements, he or she must be actively practicing cosmetic plastic surgery for two years and successfully pass comprehensive oral and written exams.

The ASPS is the only board dedicated to overseeing regulations in the field and so doctors who hold this certification are the only ones allowed to perform any type of plastic surgery procedure or treatment. The ASPS is a helpful tool for those seeking cosmetic plastic surgery because they can rest assured that the doctor they have chosen underwent extensive residency, training and work experience. Make sure you choose a doctor that is board certified in the area that you want improved. For instance, you would want to get liposuction from a doctor who is board certified in plastic surgery instead of a facial plastic surgeon since that surgeon doesn’t specialize in the procedure you want.

To find out if your physician is board certified, a patient can visit the ASPS Web site at www.plasticsurgery.org to verify a specific medical specialty. This gives you the chance to learn if a certain doctor you are interested in has completed the required training and is working toward certification.

When making the decision to have cosmetic surgery, the most important factor in the process is to choose a board certified plastic surgeon. Other considerations should also be measured. Personal qualities such as sincerity, communication skills and patience should be kept in mind. Just because a doctor is board certified does not mean that he or she will be compatible with your needs. A background check is the first step in the exciting journey of aesthetic plastic surgery.

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Most people do not realize that the number one plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States today is breast augmentation. It is true that more women have gotten breast implants than any other cosmetic procedure to date. There are several reasons why women choose to have the procedure performed. Whether it is due to unhappiness with the size and shape of the breasts, to correct a deformity or to have reconstructive surgery after breast cancer treatments, the reasons are quite varied. Are implants right for you?

The two options available today for breast augmentation surgery are silicon gel-filled and saline-filled implants, and they each have advantages. Silicone provides a more natural look and feel, while saline provides flexibility, thus allowing the size of the breast implant to be increased or decreased, to create a more uniform look.

The trans-umbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) procedure is one of the most popular options for breast enhancement today. An incision is made in the belly button of the patient during this procedure. With many of the other available breast enhancement surgery options, the incision is made in the armpit or bust.

The TUBA procedure is unique. Once your cosmetic surgeon makes the incision in your belly button, he or she will then tunnel up to the chest area. The surgeon feeds a deflated saline implant through the tunneled section. Once the breast implant is in position, and it can be placed either in front of or behind the muscle, it is inflated with saline solution.

After the TUBA procedure, care should include wearing a sports bra that provides extra support. You will more than likely be on light duty for a few weeks following your procedure, as strenuous physical activities can cause problems until you fully recover.

Of course, the most important part of the decision-making process when undergoing any kind of reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery is finding a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. To locate a plastic surgeon in your area who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can go online at www.plasticsurgery.org.

After you locate a doctor in your area that is certified to perform cosmetic plastic surgery, the next step is to schedule a consultation appointment with him or her to determine whether you are a good candidate for breast enhancement surgery. A good plastic surgeon will spend time with you to evaluate both your mental and physical health and give you their unbiased opinion on whether augmentation breast implants is the right choice for you. You need to know all the benefits and risks of the surgery as well as what type of post-operative care you will need.

The trans-umbilical breast augmentation procedure decreases the recovery time for the average patient, when compared to other types of incisions. Many breast surgery patients report less post-operative wound care, recovery pain and decreased down time, as well as less conspicuous scarring. The biggest disadvantage or risk of this procedure is the remote chance of an implant being punctured and leaking during installation.

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