Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

The United States is trying hard to find money to fund their huge overhaul of health care which will cost an estimated $871 billion. Senator Harry Reid’s proposed bill included seventeen tax increases and new taxes. One tax that was included on the proposal raised a cry of outrage: the ‘Botax’. This tax was outlined as a 5 percent excise tax on elective cosmetic surgeries. The outcry was enough to squash the proposed tax.

The proposed tax was expected to raise at least $6 billion over the next ten years. However, cosmetic surgery providers did not want their patients to have to pay that money. An aggressive lobbying campaign was organized by 22 surgical societies including the American Medical Association and Botox maker, Allergen Inc. The campaign fought fiercely to derail this idea by focusing on the fact that the tax was unfairly geared toward women.

Nearly 90 percent of all cosmetic procedures are performed on women, 91 percent of which are between the ages of 19 and 64. Some have called the tax sexist. Terry O’neil, president of the National Organization for Women, told the Times that, during this time of recession, many middle aged women are using cosmetic surgery to help them to stay competitive in the shrinking job market. She also said, “[the government] is going to put a tax on middle-aged women in a society that devalues them for being middle-aged.”

Dr. Renato Saltz, president of the ASAPS, said, “This tax is effectively a “soccer Mom” tax that will adversely impact mainstream American wives and mothers, who are the majority of plastic surgery patients. As doctors, we understand and appreciate the need for health care reform, but taxing physicians and cosmetic surgery procedures to pay for the reform is not realistic or beneficial.” These comments and others made by the campaign seem to have struck the right chord. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid heard the chord and removed the tax from the bill.

Thus, many people have exhaled a sigh of relief, knowing that the proposed tax is no longer an issue. However, Dr. Saltz warns, “I’m glad the cosmetic surgery tax-at least for now- is out, but we are not ready to celebrate just yet.” This proposed tax was a wake-up call to the cosmetic surgery industry. Protecting their patients from unfair treatment is one of the responsibilities that doctors hold on their shoulders. Cosmetic surgeons hope to be able to protect their patients from the possibility that this unfair tax will be proposed again.

The Botax was replaced on the bill by a tax on services provided by tanning salons. The tanning industry is of course outraged by this as well. The proposed tax is a 10 percent sales tax.

People undergo plastic surgery for a wide range of reasons. Some have a procedure to ake themselves look younger and be more marketable in the job market. Others have surgery to be more attractive in the eyes of the opposite sex, and some just want to possess that perfect beauty that they have always wanted. Many brides-to-be decide that getting plastic surgery, before their wedding, is necessary to give them the wedding that they always dreamed of.

New research performed by The Good Surgeon Guide showed that 58 percent of women engaged to be married, are considering having a cosmetic treatment before the wedding. The study asked 512 brides-to be a series of questions concerning their intentions concerning cosmetic surgery before their wedding day. The results were intriguing. Botox, teeth whitening, and liposuction were the three most appealing treatments according to this group of women. Botox, the wrinkle relaxing injection, is a very popular procedure. It is non-surgical, which appeals to many people and is a quick temporary treatment. Teeth whitening is of course high on many people’s list. A bright flashing smile is important, especially when a person’s picture is being taken. Liposuction is much more invasive, but the patients who have undergone
this procedure are amazed at the results.

Breast augmentation ranked in the fourth position with only 47 percent of the women, that would have surgery, considering this procedure. Breast augmentation is the most popular plastic surgery in the cosmetic surgery field. In fact during 2009 the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons performed 8,565 breast augmentations. This is over 23 percent of all procedures performed for both men and women. The Harley Medical Group has also reported that they have performed an increasing number of breast augmentations and expect 2010 to have record numbers.

The most common reason for these brides-to-be to consider cosmetic procedures was because of the wedding pictures. Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect, and wants to be able to look back at the wedding pictures with fondness. Every thing has to be just right and that includes how she looks. Christiana Clogg, co-founder of the Good Surgeon Guide, said, “A wedding is the single most important day in plenty of men and women lives and a large number want everything to be perfect, including their appearance. I can understand the appeal of a flawless image for weddings; there’s absolutely nothing wrong with people getting some work done before they get married, providing they do their homework.”

The survey also included 509 engaged men, of which around 33 percent said they were considering a cosmetic procedure. Their choices ranged from veneers to chest reduction and most men said that they considered a procedure in order to please their partner.

Cosmetic surgery has indeed come a long way from its days of being a thing only spoke of in whispers and performed under clandestine conditions. Today most people are not afraid to talk about their procedures and some are even willing to broadcast them. A new show in Ireland is doing just that.

The Cosmetic Surgery Show: What A Load of Botox, airing on TV3, is taking a thorough look at plastic surgery. Caroline Morahan, star of Off the Rails, and Dr. 90210′s Dr. Robert Rey will present the six part series. TV3 says, “This amazing multi-item magazine show will take an in depth look at cosmetic surgery in Ireland as we follow a different Irish person each week going through a different procedure whose result
will be revealed in studio.” This show will give people a really good look at what each procedure entails. Plastic surgery procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, and face lifts will be shown.

The program is also featuring some non-surgical procedures. As stated by TV3, “the programme will feature non-invasive treatments, such as dermal fillers, being carried out live in studio. The series will get to the heart of many of the issues surrounding cosmetics in Ireland, featuring a studio discussion about an issue each week, as well as poling the public.” There are many issues and confusions shrouding cosmetic procedures and it is hoped that this series will be able to pull that shroud aside and get to the truth of the issues.

The series is not to be solely based on Ireland cosmetic surgery. It is also going to look at things around the word. As reported by TV3, “the show will take a look at many of the ground breaking procedures being practiced in other parts of the world such as the United States, which range from extraordinary to completely shocking, and as we ask whether these techniques used could be replicated in Ireland.”

This series should be able to open the eyes of many people, to the benefits of cosmetic surgeries. It will also give people a better understanding of what procedures are available and what these procedures could mean for them. The series will broadcast for six weeks beginning on Wednesday 13th January at 9pm on Irish TV3. Its result should be a new understanding of plastic surgery for many in society.

Before there were silicone implants women who wanted breast augmentation were forced to have saline implants put in. Now that silicone implants are available, and approved to be used, many women are rushing to get them. Women who already have saline implants must not be discouraged, because the switch from saline to silicone is easy and quick.

Dr. Allan Parangao, the author of ‘A Woman’s Guide to Cosmetic Breast Surgery and Body Contouring’, reports that replacing saline implants with silicone implants is a simple procedure. In fact, the surgery can take less than 45 minutes to complete because a pocket already exists in the breast where the old implant had been. A local anesthetic is sufficient and Dr. Parangao reported that many women returned to work the very next day after having their breast implants switched.

Some women with saline implants wonder if it is really necessary to have their implants changed. In a press release, Dr. Cohen, a board-certified plastic surgeon of the Scottsdale Center for Plastic Surgery, said, “Some of my corrective surgery patients choose silicone partly because they weren’t happy with their experience with saline, but what’s interesting is that we’re starting to see many more patients wanting to ‘trade up’ to silicone for its own sake, without necessarily requiring significant correction at the same time.” He says that the silicone implants have a more natural texture and that they can help to compensate for many of the aesthetic challenges that come along with revision breast surgery.

Dr. Parangao said , “silicone gel implants feel more like natural breast tissue than saline implants do. Especially for women with relatively little natural breast tissue, silicon gel implants can give much more natural looking breast enhancement.” Saline implants sometimes take on a rippled effect which is not seen with silicon. Also silicon gel has been refined with a property that causes the gel to ‘stick’ to itself in the same way that breast tissues stick to each other. This creates a feel that is nearly indistinguishable from natural breast tissue.

In an article by American Health and Beauty, 41 year-old Patty said although “saline implants improved my figure 100%…they were hard. They looked great but did not feel natural.” After her breast implants were changed she said that her silicone breast felt better and she was actually able to push them together in a Wonder bra, which had been impossible with the saline.

UK cosmetic surgery companies such as The Harley Medical Group and Make Yourself Beautiful offer breast augmentations.

Improvements in cosmetic surgery are constantly being implemented. Procedures are revised and then revised again, to ensure that they are the best that they can be. Advances in technology also contribute to the improvements in plastic surgery. One of these improvements is the Vaser liposuction technique which is quickly becoming very popular.

It is said that Vaser Liposuction is the next generation in body contouring and has been named the ‘magic wand’ liposuction. It utilizes an ultrasonic wave, in a new and revolutionary way, to create a much less invasive procedure. Ultrasonic waves, better known as ultrasounds, have been used in the medical field for many years. They help a mother to get the first look at her baby and have been employed in teeth cleaning. Now a technique has been created which allows these waves to liquefy unwanted fat cells. An ultrasound wand is passed over the area where the fat is to be removed. Ultrasonic energy emanates from the wand and is able to liquefy the fat cells without harming any of the surround tissue. Thus, nerves, blood vessels, and connecting tissue are safe form the energy. Once the fat is liquefied, it is sucked out of the area through a small incision. The procedure is quick and a local anesthetic, ensures that it is painless.

Carla McKay wrote an article, for the Daily Mail, describing her experience with the Vaser Liposuction procedure. While doing a headstand in her yoga class she was disconcerted by her stomach as it reached for her chin. She described it as ‘a sagging lump of excess blubber’ and she was disgusted by it. When she looked around at the other people in her group she was unable to find a stomach that was any where near, as flabby and gross as hers. She quickly decided that, as a 58th birthday present, she would have liposuction.

After exhaustive research she decided that the new Vaser liposuction, performed by Dr. Mike Comins, was worth a try. After being thoroughly numbed around the abdomen the doctor rubbed the Vaser wand over her. The wand was not painful, however she said, “it felt like a scraping sensation inside, as if he were weeding my stomach with a trowel.” It took around one and a half hours for the entire procedure and recovery time was not very long at all. She was thrilled with the results. She had lost three inches on her waist and was able to fit into jeans that she had not worn in a long time.

Vaser Liposuction is a wonderful new way to have fat removed, without having to undergo a very invasive surgery. Big incisions are not necessary with this innovative approach and the results have been described as ‘a dream come true’.

According to a recent study, women may be more likely than men to develop perioral wrinkles. These are wrinkles that form around the mouth and not only are women more prone to develop them but these wrinkles also develop deeper in women than in men. Researchers for the Netherlands hoped to find out why this is.

Emma C. Paes, of the University Medical Center in Utrecht, said in a news release, “The aim of this study is to obtain new insight into the perception that women wrinkle earlier and more severely than men. If we understood the reasons for differences in wrinkling between women and men, then we might be able to develop better strategies for the treatment of perioral wrinkling.” The research was actually performed on cadavers and measurements were taken of the upper lip region in both males and females.

The results of the research were enlightening. They found there were fewer sweat and sebaceous glands in women than men. This deficiency could influence the natural filling of the skin. Women’s skin tissue around the mouth also contained fewer blood vessels which would create poorer circulation. Again this deficiency might be a cause for the formation of wrinkles. The researchers believe that the deepness of
the wrinkles may be caused by the closer attachment of muscle fibers surrounding the lips to the middle layer of skin. This might cause a strain on the lips pulling them inward and thus making deeper perioral wrinkles. The conclusion was that these results do provide a feasible explanation for why women are more prone to these wrinkles.

Paes said; “We think it is important to consider the reasons why a particular treatment may or may not be effective. Sometimes one has to go back to the basics instead of just moving forward. In the end, having more basic knowledge about a problem can speed up the process of finding the right solution.” It is hoped that this study will give surgeons that basic knowledge and help them to better treat facial wrinkles.

There are many treatments for wrinkles such as Botox injections and injectable wrinkle fillers. There are also lasers, dermabrasion and chemical peels. There is even a treatment called Aluma that uses radio frequency technology to smooth out the wrinkles on the face. These treatments have helped people to get rid of their wrinkles and enjoy a fresh smooth face.

Botox has been the popular way to get rid of wrinkles and frown lines in the face for a while. A simple injection is able to relax the clenched facial muscle to create smoother skin. Chemical peels have commonly been used to smooth out facial skin and there are even more invasive procedures which include face lifts. But now there is a new procedure that can create these results easier and more effectively.

London medical has begun providing Aluma treatments. Aluma is made by Lumines Aesthetic and it employs the revolutionary radio frequency technology. This treatment conveys energy into the underlying layers of skin and stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen helps the skin to stay elastic and smooth. This treatment requires no cutting and is painless, without the use of anesthetic. This treatment is designed to be used on anyone with mild to moderate wrinkles and is not restricted to any skin types. It is typically used on the neck, and studies have shown that it may be efficient when used on the abdomen, knees, and arms.

The treatment at London Medical can be used on the face and neck areas and is performed by trained nurses. It is offered under the guidance of recognized consultant dermatologists and is very safe and efficient. The treatment normally last around 15 minutes and requires no recovery time or special care. Patients can get rid of wrinkles on their lunch break and then return to work. The effect of this procedure is considered to be long-lasting. Eventually age will catch back up with a person and wrinkles will start to reform but it is not considered to be temporary like Botox.

Another treatment offered at London Medical, that uses radiofrequency assisted technology, is the Bodytite liposuction procedure. This procedure uses a much higher amount of energy to create a heat that liquefies the fat cells which are then sucked out of the body. The heating also allows for collagen contraction which tightens the surrounding skin.

Getting rid of wrinkles when they begin is a dream come true for some people. Most people want to fight of the signs of aging any way that they can. Now, with Aluma treatments, wrinkles can be smoothed out and skin made to look tighter and smoother. These treatments are quick and painless and the results are amazing. Aluma could be the future of skin tightening procedures.

The cosmetic surgery field has continuously grown to encompass more and more different procedures. Not only are there more procedures, but there are also better techniques and tools. Technological advances from many fields have helped cosmetic surgery to become safe and efficient. More advances are made every day to improve plastic surgery. One of these improvements is a procedure called, cell enriched breast enhancement.

Cell enriched breast enhancement, dubbed ‘Stem Cell Boob Job’, involves taking fat cells from other parts of the body and putting them in the breasts to increase bust size. It is a chemical free treatment, and there are claims that it is permanent. This could be the next generation of breast implants, however a cosmetic expert advises against rushing into the procedure. Dr. Ravi Jain, medical director at Riverbanks Clinic, says, “Almost all the best cosmetic treatments currently available are actually 3rd or 4th generation versions of earlier treatments which have been refined and improved over time and as more data became available. Stem cell-based beauty treatments are certainly going to be big in the future but the treatment is still in its infancy, and in my opinion, has at least another 12-18 months of modification ahead of it.’

The new stem cell procedures are being offered in some clinics in the UK. Cell enriched breast enhancements and cell enriched Botox can be found being offered by certain surgeons but not Dr. Jain. He will most likely be offering some selected trails in 2010, however these trials will be done in order to gain better data about the long term success of the treatment. He said, “If the trial prove successful, this approach could be used to treat a range of conditions more effectively including sun damage, scars, skin tone, and lines and wrinkles. This is definitely going to be the future of cosmetic treatments, but still has some way to go.”

His statements show that he is very excited about the procedure, but being a doctor since 1995 he has gained some wisdom, when it comes to new treatments. He does not want to see a flood of people rush into something that is not yet perfected and then be disappointed with the results. Most procedures require some fine tuning before they become efficient. His advice is, merely, that people wait a little while before
having this new procedure performed on them.

2009 saw a substantial increase in a lot of cosmetic procedures. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons there was a 6.7 percent increase of surgical procedures since 2008. There was an 80 percent increase in breast reductions for men and a 43 percent increase in brow lifts for both men and women. Many other procedures increased as well but a particular one has made the headlines.

The Harley Medical Group is UK’s biggest cosmetic surgery provider and has helped more than 450,000 patients to get the bodies that they have always dreamed of. In a press release, they reported a 17% increase in neck lift procedures during 2009 as compared to 2008. Excess skin hanging off of the neck, called ‘turkey neck’, is associated with getting old. The decrease of collagen in the skin causes it to lose it’s elasticity and makes it more susceptible to sag. 63 year-old Brenda Scott had a face and neck lift performed at The Harley Medical Group, and said “The loose flapping skin on my neck and under my chin bothered me for years so I would cover it by wearing scarves and high-neck jumpers. I always felt young for my age but where I could help disguise the lines on my face with good make-up, my neck was more
exposed.” During 2009 many women rushed to the surgeons office to get these turkey necks chopped off.

Lisa Littlehales, Regional Clinic Manager at The Harley Medical Group, said, “A neck lift procedure will give a long-lasting firm, and youthful looking appearance – liposuction is also often used in the same procedure to eliminate the fat pocket under the chin. The procedure does require an overnight stay in hospital and will require up to two weeks recovery time. Our patients are advised to keep the incision
out of direct sun light and wear sun block until colour and bruising has completely faded – so if you’re going to have this type of surgery winter is the perfect time of year to do it.” This does not bother most people because they would rather be in doors during the cold months. Why not spend that time recuperated from a beautifying procedure?

Neck lift procedures can make a person’s neck look years younger. The hanging skin under the neck usually indicates a person is old and getting rid of it really does magic to their appearance. The number of neck lift procedures increased substantially in 2009 and will probably continue to increase as people see the amazing results.

January is a popular month for inquiries into plastic surgery. With the coming of the new year people begin to think about their goals for another year in their lives. The emphasis that society places on good looks, influences these goals and thus many people decide to look better in the new year. Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a triple board-certified plastic surgeon, said in a press release, “Most New Year’s resolutions boil down to one simple desire: to look and feel more like the person you want to be.” More often now, than previous years, people hope to accomplish this through plastic surgery.

Make Yourself Amazing (MYA) cosmetic surgery is a leading clinic in the UK. They reported that between January 1st and Jan 14, 2010 there was a 15% increase in enquiries when compared with the same time period in 2009. John Ryan, MYA Chairman, says, “January is a busy time for the cosmetic surgery industry. After the Christmas and New Year period people often start setting new goals or New Year’s resolutions.
These goals often include improving one’s appearance or completing a goal they never achieved last year. We get a lot of people coming in saying that they have been interested for a while but have never got round to arranging a consultation.”

The figures for enquiries showed that breast augmentation was the most sought after procedure. The number of enquiries for this procedure actually increased 21% over last year. Breast augmentation is followed by liposuction, breast uplift, nose reshaping, and tummy tuck, in that order. These numbers show that plastic surgery is continuing to grow in popularity and no end to this growth is in sight.

The GoodSurgeonGuide performed a study at the end of 2009 which revealed that women in particular are putting more emphasis on looking good in 2010. This study showed that 51 percent of the women surveyed expressed that they were considering having cosmetic surgery. Christina Clogg, co-founder of the guide said, “We were surprised that it [looking good] was more important to some than a more successful career or finding someone special.” Looking good has become a very important factor in society and women feel it more strongly than men. Women are expected to look young and pretty, so under going plastic surgery is an understandable extension of this ideal.

According to these surveys, 2010 will prove to be a very popular year for cosmetic surgery. People have become much more comfortable with having procedures done, and society has become much less judgmental of people who have had them.