Ear pinning surgery is sought out by children and adults alike to correct the appearance of overly protruding ears which may appear out of proportion with the rest of the face. Through the use of permanent sutures, the ears can be permanently readjusted closer to the face.

Earlobe repair is often sought out by women who have worn heavy earrings for years. Over time, the earlobes become stretched, strained and more vulnerable to injury. Earlobe repair is a fairly straightforward procedure for plastic surgeons. Performed under local anesthesia and requiring almost no downtime, most patients are able to re-pierce their ears within a couple of months.

Earlobe reduction is used for those men and women who are dissatisfied with the overall size of their earlobes. As we age, the ears continue to grow, which can cause earlobe stretching or enlargement. Earlobe reduction is frequently sought out as a facial rejuvenation procedure and works by removing wedge of tissue from the lobe.

Ear surgery is not typically covered by health insurance. If you’re interested in ear surgery, anticipate the overall cost to range from $400 and $1,200.

In many cases, earlobe damage or deformity can be prevented. Consider the tips below:

• Avoid wearing heavy dangling earrings on a daily basis. Save them for special occasions.
• Do not wear dangling or hoop earring while holding or playing with a young child.
• Remove your earrings every night before bed. Always be extra careful when removing clothing.
• Always take your earrings out before combing your hair.

Are you interested in learning more about ear pinning surgery? Contact our Bellevue plastic surgery office.

Source: Huffington Post Blog

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 Bellevue.

While silicone breast implants are often considered more natural looking than their saline counterparts, the potential risks associated with silicone leakage or migration deter some from going the silicone route.

This may about to change with latest breakthrough in breast enhancement technology– “gummy bear” breast implants:

What exactly are “gummy bear” breast implants?

Gummy bear breast implants are composed of high-strength silicone gel, which means they are capable of holding their shape, even in the event of rupture. The risk of leakage is minimal, especially in comparison to traditional silicone implants.

Do gummy bear breast implants look and feel natural?

The appearance and texture of gummy bear breast implants also set them apart from competitors. They feel similar to gummy bear candies – soft, squishy and semi-solid. The material holds it soft natural shape, unlike liquid-filled or tradition silicone breast implants which can wrinkle, fold or ripple over time.

Where can I get gummy bear breast implants?

Gummy bear implants have been popular in Europe and Canada for several years, but were only approved for testing in the U.S. in 2002. Gummy bear breast implants are currently being studied for mass market use in the U.S. but are yet not FDA-approved. However, approval for these cohesive gel implants in the U.S. may be fast approaching.

Are you considering breast implants? Remember to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon for breast surgery. Learn more about silicone breast implants in Bellevue, WA.

Source: Huffington Post

“Usually people going abroad are not going abroad to the world’s expert on a procedure; they are going to have something done cheaper.  If you have any complications at all, it could end up costing you four to five times the amount if you would have if you just stayed here in the first place,” said Dr. Mark Elliott, a board certified surgeon and advisory board member for ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com.

According to the survey, which received responses from nearly two-thousand ASPS board certified plastic surgeons, nearly 80 percent of respondents had previously treated patients for complications following plastic surgery procedures abroad. The majority of these patients were treated for post-operative infections.

Additionally, the study also claimed that nearly half of medical tourists receiving breast augmentation or body contouring procedures such as liposuction required numerous surgeries to correct complications incurring from their initial surgery. Many of the surgeons surveyed felt that a lack of post-operative care was a main contributing factor to many of these complications.

“The process of surgery really encompasses a good analysis, a carefully done operation, and very careful post-operative care. To give up post-operative care you’re assuming you won’t have questions, problems, or any complications afterward. And quite frankly, I think it’s naïve and unsafe,” said Dr. Lou Bucky, a board certified surgeon and advisory board member for ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com.

While choosing plastic surgery abroad isn’t necessarily a poor decision, patients unfortunately aren’t doing their research. Finding references and information on surgeons abroad can also prove to be far more difficult. Ditching the beach for local care may just be the safest option.

Source: theplasticsurgerychannel.com

Originally discovered for its cosmetic use by husband and wife team, Drs. Jean and Alastair Carruthers, Botox (previously known as Oculinum) was at the time only being used to treat patients with severe eye spasms or crossed eyes.

Following an interaction with one of her patients, Jean – an ophthalmologist – got the idea to use Botox injections as a treatment for forehead wrinkles. She then suggested to her husband Alastair – a dermatologist – that he use Botox to treat his patients. After a successful test run with his receptionist, they were convinced that Botox could dramatically treat signs of aging on the forehead.

Botox Injections Used to Treat Various Medical Indications

Botox injections work by blocking certain nerve impulses, mostly those that cause the muscles to contract, making it an ideal therapeutic treatment for conditions that involve chronically tight or spastic muscles. Ten years after its discovery Botox injections are now being used to treat various medical conditions including:

• Overactive bladder
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Migraine headaches
• Chronic neck pain
• Muscle stiffness

More popular than ever, Botox injections have made their mark in both the cosmetic and therapeutic treatment industries. In another ten years, it is likely that we will see Botox being used as the standard therapy for many other chronic and debilitating medical conditions.

Learn more about Botox injections in Bellevue, WA.

Source: Fox News

“For fifteen years these statistics have been a large part of the Aesthetic Society’s public education mission,” said Jeffrey M. Kenkel, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. “Since 1997, the interest in and demand for cosmetic plastic surgery has risen exponentially and our comprehensive statistics continue to show that.”

In the past year, plastic surgery procedures increased by nearly 1 percent across the U.S. The most popular cosmetic surgeries were as follows: liposuction (325,332), breast augmentation (316,848), abdominoplasty (149,410), eyelid surgery (147,540) and breast lift (127,054).

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures, which accounted for 82 percent of all cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. in 2011, saw a 2 percent decrease over the past year. The most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures were as follows: Botox (2,619,739), hyaluronic acid (1,206,186), laser hair removal (919,802), microdermabrasion (499,427) and IPL laser treatment (439,161).

In 2011, cosmetic procedures were popular for men and women; however, it’s clear that cosmetic surgery remains a female dominated consumer industry. Of all cosmetic procedures performed last year, 91 percent were elected by female patients.

With current trends, the rate of cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. is likely to continue to see growth, especially as more and more baby boomers begin to notice signs of aging. Surgical cosmetic procedures in particular are likely to see the greatest increase in years to come.

“Growth in demand will likely continue to grow as baby boomers and their offspring begin to explore surgical options,” said Dr. Kenkel. “Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin and reshape the underlying tissues are necessary in order to show significant improvement.”

Learn more about non-surgical cosmetic procedures like Botox injections in Bellevue, WA

“If people are concerned about job retention, if you look around the table and you feel like you’re the oldest, sleepiest looking one, perhaps, from your facial expression changes—we can do things for that,” said Dr. Kraemer.

Kraemer says he sees men from various vocations seeking facial rejuvenation procedures such as eyebrow lifts to give them an edge in the workplace. He’s also seen men in traditionally very masculine career fields turning to plastic surgery to secure their jobs.

“When the police department started requiring officers to wear a bullet proof vest, we saw a number of officers come in who were individuals who had collections around their middle that made it hard to wear their bullet proof vest,” Kraemer said.

Dr. Kraemer states that he performs various cosmetic procedures for men, ranging from nose jobs to neck lifts and everything in between. And while most men appear to be choosing plastic surgery for job security, he also sees men seeking out plastic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons.

Plastic surgery for men doesn’t appear to be waning in popularity anytime soon. The U.S. has seen a steady increase of plastic surgery for men over the past 10 years. In 2010 alone, nearly 12.6 million men elected cosmetic procedures, a 10 percent increase from the year 2000.

Learn more about plastic surgery for men in Bellevue, WA.

Source: KSDK News

In a culture obsessed with youth and beauty, it’s no surprise that women in their 20s are already thinking about anti-aging cosmetic procedures. According to an article recently published by ABC News, preventative Botox injections, as well as other cosmetic procedures are on the rise for a much younger demographic.

“If you know you’re somebody who’s going in the direction of cosmetics and you know that you’re going to care about lines, then I say it’s better to do it earlier than to wait and do it once these lines have etched into the skin,” said New York dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman. “So if you’re in your 20s and you start to see lines coming, then why not do it early and prevent it? And to me it’s just like exercise.”

According to Jaliman, facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox injections as well as thermage treatments which increase collagen production have become increasingly popular at her Fifth Avenue dermatology office. And while Jaliman is definitely for preventative cosmetic procedures, she encourages women to view proper nutrition and adequate sleep as the best way to fight signs of aging.

“I can’t tell you all the people who come to me to correct problems they wouldn’t have had if they followed those simple rules,” Jaliman said. “They would save thousands of dollars if they did those simple things.”

Avoiding excessive sun exposure, especially from tanning beds is also something Dr. Jaliman recommends to prevent early signs of aging. “We know sun exposure is cumulative. Even five minutes a day is enough to give you cancer, but it’s also enough to break down the collagen.”

If you’re concerned about preventing the earliest signs of aging, speak with your plastic surgeon. Learn more about Botox injections and other anti-aging cosmetic procedures in Bellevue, WA.

According to board certified plastic surgeon and spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Dr. Stephan Baker, the noticeable rise in male plastic surgery reflects a societal shift in views about plastic surgery. “There is a growing awareness in the public in general that it’s OK to have plastic surgery. It’s not taboo.”

Baker also believes that more men are seeking out plastic surgery to gain a competitive edge in the workplace. Additionally he speculates that the baby boomer generation is more physically fit and conscious of their physical appearance than prior generations driving them to seek out plastic surgery.

Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Carlos Wolf, who says 20 percent of his patients are men, believes the increase in male plastic surgery may be due to another reason. “The biggest motivating factor in men is dating younger women.”

Whatever the reason may be, there’s no denying that more men are seeking out plastic surgery to improve their appearance than ever before. And the trend doesn’t appear to be moving in the direction of decline any time soon.

According to the ASPS the top five cosmetic procedures for men are as follows:

Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping): 252,261

Belpharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 208,764

Lipoplasty (Liposuction): 203,106

Hair transplantation: 18,996

Gynecomastia (Breast reduction): 18,280

Learn more about male plastic surgery in Bellevue.

Source: Miami Herald

The study, which focused on both non-invasive and surgical cosmetic procedures, found that on average, American’s spend USD$33,000 per one-thousand people, while Australians spend nearly AUD$45,000. The gap widens even more when exchange rates are taken into account. The Australian dollar is currently worth about 5% more than the U.S. dollar, creating a nearly 45% difference in capital.

This significant difference in spending habits has provoked some speculation as why more Australians are electing plastic surgery. Australians are experiencing similar economic hardships as the U.S., ruling out a black-and-white financial explanation.

Co-founder of Costhetics, Louisa McKay speculates that the Australian climate may be a reason behind increased spending on cosmetic procedures.

“Another possibility is the harsh sunlight Australians contend with, which has a significant affect on the aging process, increasing the appearance of wrinkles and sun damaged skin. “

Whatever the reason may be, the plastic surgery industry is soaring in Australia. The most popular procedures for women included breast surgery, liposuction, tummy tucks and eyelid surgery. As for the men, breast reduction, liposuction, cosmetic ear surgery and eyelid surgery were the top procedures.

With the increase in plastic surgery globally, experts are concerned that consumers may not be doing proper research prior to undergoing surgery. If you’re considering plastic surgery, make sure you know what you’re getting into and always seek out a board certified plastic surgeon.

Learn more about cosmetic procedures such as breast surgery in Bellevue.

Source: Yahoo News