Why You Need to Lose Weight Before Your Mommy Makeover Surgery

Plastic surgeons coined the term “mommy makeover” to describe any cosmetic surgery that aims to reverse the effects of pregnancy such as hanging skin and/or fats around the abdomen, flaccid breasts, and pockets of fats that do not respond to diet and regular exercise.

The aesthetic problems stated above are primarily caused by weight gain and changes in the breast size and shape associated with pregnancy.  While these “issues” can be addressed by plastic surgery, always remember that it is not a “quick fix.”

To enjoy a long-lasting result after a mommy makeover, you should be in normal and stable weight.  And if you are seeking breast enhancement (either you want to increase your bust size or lift your sagging breasts), make sure that all signs of lactation have resolved and your baby is done weaning.

A normal weight is particularly important when you are planning to have abdominoplasty or tummytuck, a procedure that removes the hanging, loose skin and fat bulges if there were any.

While the procedure can permanently remove the excess tissue and fats, you have to realize that your problem will reappear if you gain and then lose a significant amount of weight. 

Minor tweaks are fairly common after a body contouring surgery, although requesting for tummy tuck again and again is a clear sign that what you need is a complete change in your lifestyle rather than another cosmetic procedure.  And besides, repeating means additional scar and probably more risks.

Liposuction, a cosmetic surgery that removes the unwanted fats, also requires you to be in normal, stable weight.  Take note that it only eliminates the fatty tissues close to the skin and not the deeper visceral fats which are responsible for weight-related health problems.

The good thing about the visceral fats is that they respond well to diet and exercise, by contrast, the fats underneath the skin sometimes do not react to natural weight loss.  For this reason, liposuction is helpful for healthy people who want to improve their figure.

A stable weight is also important if you want to undergo breast lift, a problem associated with natural aging, previous pregnancies, and weight fluctuations.  Because it is possible to avoid these factors (except the aging, of course), why not make a commitment so you can enjoy a long-lasting result.

But if you were considering having babies in the future, most plastic surgeons would advise postponing breast lift because repeating the procedure means additional scar. 

Did Lark Voorhies Undergo Plastic Surgery?

With the plans of a reunion of Saved by the Bell cast, Lark Voorhies became the inordinate topic with her unusual, not-so-flattering appearance.  The 35-year-old former TV actress, who played the role of the adorable and cute Lisa Turtle, was recently photographed looking quite different.

Some people have speculated that Voorhies may have an overdone eyelid surgery, based on comparing her previous pictures to her present appearance.  Facelift is another probable reason why she looks different—unfortunately not in a good way because of the “windswept” result.

Others think that Voorhies overly tight face was caused by too much Botox injection and dermal fillers such as the collagen.  Some fans say the former TV actress cannot be blamed for feeling the pressure of looking young as her co-stars Mario Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and Elizabeth Berkley have hardly aged after the last airing of their show in 1993.

Aside from her unusual appearance, celebrity bloggers have also mentioned the unflattering makeup as she looked overly powdered in her recent photos.

However, not everyone is accusing Voorhies of having bad plastic surgeries.  Some fans believe that her ridiculous makeup and weight gain are most likely to blame for her current appearance, which is a far outcry from what she used to look like.

Facelift Result Affected by Many Factors

About 119,000 facelift surgeries were performed in 2011, according to data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Meanwhile, this trend and the popularity of facial rejuvenations are expected to continue in the coming years due to aging population.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, has also attributed newer surgical techniques to the growing popularity of facelift surgery.  He cited the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) method in which doctors go deeper into the tissue, resulting to a longer-lasting, more dramatic result.

“Nowadays, a full facelift can create results which can last eight to ten years.  This used to be impossible because the previous techniques only stretched the skin and removed any sagging area,” Smaili said.

By contrast, the renowned plastic surgeon said the result of “isolated” or “mini” facelift is shorter, usually five years or less.

But aside from the type of facelift technique used, Smaili has cited other factors which can affect the result of surgery in the long run.

*  Sun exposure

Too much sun exposure over the years can cause photoaging, a term used by dermatologists to describe the appearance of age spots, freckles, leathery skin, fine wrinkles, and spider veins on the face.

Smaili said that using sunscreen when going outdoors can make a huge difference in prolonging a patient’s youthful appearance.  But if photoaging already sets in, the plastic surgeon recommends laser skin resurfacing, medical-grade chemical peels, and/or dermabrasion.

*  Color of skin

People with a darker complexion have more melanin, which gives the skin its pigment, are less prone to photoaging.  But still, a god skincare regimen and use of sunscreen can do great wonders on anyone’s complexion.

*  Genetics

Scientific studies have suggested that genes control how quickly or slowly the normal aging process occurs.  Some notice sagging and wrinkles in their thirties; others do not have these problems until they reach their mid-forties.

*  Complementary procedures

Facelift patients who are constantly receiving dermal fillers to replace the volume lost in their cheeks, temple, etc. of course would enjoy youthful appearance for a longer period of time compared with those who are not receiving “maintenance.”

Other non-invasive procedures commonly used to complement facelift include Botox injection, laser skin resurfacing, natural fat grafting, and dermabrasion.

*  Lifestyle

Healthy diet that consists foods high in anti-oxidant, minerals, and vitamins can postpone aging or even make people look younger.  Exercise, stress management, and good outlook on life can also do wonders on one’s appearance.

Definition of Beauty and How It Affects Plastic Surgery Trends

With the growing acceptance of plastic surgery in the US, it not surprising that about 13.8 million procedures (both invasive and non-invasive) were performed in 2011 alone.  Meanwhile, this trend is expected to continue in the coming years as researchers and plastic surgeons are introducing safer and more effective techniques.

The quintessential aim of plastic surgery is beauty, or at least some aesthetic improvements (but not perfection).  However, “beauty” is probably the most contested word since many believe that it is in the “eye of the beholder.”

But still, experts and plastic surgeons believe that there is such a thing as “universal beauty.”  This is proven by some studies in which respondents were asked to rate the physical appearance of women from a different ethnicity and the result showed that those rated high in “attractiveness” were also considered beautiful by the people from the same ethnic group.

Meanwhile, the list below shows the 2011 most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries (from data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons) and the probable reasons behind their popularity.

1.     Breast augmentation

About 307,000 breast augmentations were performed last year, making it the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery.  This has been the trend over the past couple of years not just in the US but also in many countries.

The breasts have always been associated with not just sexual attractiveness but also fertility.  However, breast augmentation is not always performed to increase the bust size; for some patients the procedure is also used to create fullness in the upper poles, resulting to a more youthful appearance.

Recently, plastic surgeons have noticed that a growing number of patients are choosing smaller breast implants just to achieve fullness and more prominent cleavage. 

2    Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping

 More than 244,000 patients had rhinoplasty last year, making it the second most popular cosmetic surgery.

A good result should complement the face of a person; for this reason, plastic surgeons have developed ethnic rhinoplasty to preserve and even glorify the “quintessential” features of a patient. 

Examples of ethnic rhinoplasty techniques include allowing a slight nostril flare when dealing with African nose; and recognizing that the Asian nose does not tolerate too much projection in the nasal bridge and tip.

According to a recent study, rhinoplasty can result to a younger appearance aside from a more balanced “facial feature,” which has always been known as the universal definition of beauty.

In a separate study, researchers have concluded that balanced facial features usually connote good genes and excellent health—two things which are important in reproduction.

3     Liposuction

About 205,000 liposuction procedures were performed last year.  This surgery involves removing the “unwanted” fats to achieve a better figure.

For women, a flatter stomach and wider hips connotes fertility and sexual attractiveness.  With this fact, liposuction often involves removing the excess fats in the abdomen, flanks, and back to achieve the much-coveted hourglass figure.

The abdomen is also a common target in male liposuction, although some patients seek the procedure to achieve a “six-pack.”  With a technique called abdominal etching, plastic surgeons strategically remove some of the unwanted fats to create grooves, thereby resulting to a muscular appearance. 

4  Eyelid surgery

About 196,000 eyelid surgeries were performed last year.  Many experts believe that the growing popularity of the procedure is attributed to the aging baby boomers and growing acceptance of plastic surgery.

The eye is usually the first area to manifest the signs of aging.  Fortunately, the problem (sagging skin and fat bulges around the eyes) can be addressed by eyelid surgery, which can result to rejuvenated and youthful eyes.  

5  Facelift surgery

Approximately 119,000 facelifts were performed last year, making it to list of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in 2011.  Meanwhile, its popularity is expected to continue in the coming years due to a new employment trend in which more workers postpone their retirement.

Nowadays, older workers are facing tougher competition with younger employees, and for this reason many are seeking facelift surgery so they can appear youthful and reliable to their officemates.

Americans Spend More on Plastic Surgery

In 2011, Americans spent about $10.4 billion on cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-invasive in nature.  And with that huge amount of money, the earnings of US aesthetic medical industry were more than the gross domestic product of a small country.

During the same period, the number of cosmetic surgery has increased to about 1.6 million or 2 percent from the previous year, while non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers hiked by 6 percent, or more than 12 million.

Overall, the number of cosmetic procedures increased by 5 percent since 2010.

Meanwhile, these are the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries in 2011, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS):

1.    Breast Augmentation

Despite the health scare involving the defective French-made breast implants, breast augmentation in the US has increased by 4 percent to 307,000 procedures (fortunately, the faulty devices were not sold in the country).

Leading Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili has noticed that aside from the growing popularity of breast augmentation, patients are choosing smaller implants to achieve a more natural result.

“Gone are the days when the in thing was the Pamela Anderson look.  Now, many women simply want to add a moderate amount of volume in their chest to look naturally beautiful and avoid the operated look,” Smaili said.

2.     Rhinoplasty or Nose Reshaping Surgery

Last year, about 244,000 nose reshaping surgeries were conducted.  This procedure was the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery on male patients.

The techniques used in modern rhinoplasty differ from the previous decade.  For instance, plastic surgeons nowadays maintain an ample amount of cartilage to create long-lasting results and achieve a more natural appearance after surgery.

3.     Liposuction

Over the past several years, liposuction—or fat removal surgery—has been the most popular body contouring procedure.  However, patients should never treat this as a substitute to weight loss or healthy lifestyle because it can only remove the subcutaneous fats which are close to the skin and not the deeper visceral fats which are responsible for obesity-related illnesses.

4.    Eyelid surgery

With the aging baby boomers, it is not surprising that eyelid surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries to date.  In this procedure, plastic surgeons remove the excess drooping skin around the eyes particularly in the upper eyelids which can lead to a tired, worn-out look.

In some cases, eyelid surgery is used to improve the peripheral view of a patient.

5.     Facelift surgery

About 119,000 facelifts were performed last year, up 5 percent due to the aging baby boomers.  And according to ASAPS data, 65 percent of patients aged 55 years and older asked for this surgery.

Egyptian Solon Apologizes for Plastic Surgery Lies

An Egyptian solon who became famous following a nose job scandal has apologized publicly for lying about his plastic surgery.  MP Anwar al-Balkimi cited “human weakness” during his speech at the People’s Assembly, the country’s lower house of parliament.

While in the Western society plastic surgery is almost as common as having a haircut, Balkimi has been criticized by his colleagues for changing his appearance as doing so is like “changing God’s creation.”

But despite admitting going under the knife for cosmetic reasons, Balkimy, who is now called by the media as the nose job MP, still insists that his surgery was not meant to meddle with God’s work, in reference to the ultra conservative stance of his colleagues.  (It seems that politicians have an innate talent of playing with words, saying sorry but at the same time not owning up their mistakes completely.)

A few weeks ago, Balkimi lied that his bandages were from injuries after he was beaten up by armed robbers.  But when the media got wind of his story, the manager of the hospital where he had plastic surgery said the lawmaker was lying and even presented documents to prove his claims.

Balkimi was a member of conservative Al-Nour party which has immediately expelled him after finding out that his bandages were from a nose job.

For his detractors, the MP said that any action taken against him would not prevent him from performing his duties as an “Egyptian” and “Muslim.”

Whether the controversy will die down or not, at least Balkimi is now enjoying his smaller, straighter nose.

Heidi Montag’s Plastic Surgery—What We Have Learned from Her Story

In November 2009, then 23-year-old reality TV star Heidi Montag had 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day; these include ear pinning, liposuction to the neck, butt augmentation, eyebrow lift, chin reduction, Botox in the forehead, revision breast augmentation to further increase her implant size, and fat injection in the cheeks and lips.

Meanwhile, it was not the first time Montag had gone under the knife.  At the age of 21, she had a nose job, lip augmentation via collagen injection, and breast implant surgery.

Just shortly after the procedures, Montag said she was very happy with her transformation and even claimed that she has started to become more confident with her new image.  

 “I never felt so beautiful and sexy,” Montag said during an interview.

But a year after her transformation, she has changed her tune and said that she regretted having nearly-dozen surgeries which she claimed have resulted to “painful and embarrassing scars” all over her body.

“I would love not be plastic girl,” she was quoted saying.

Perhaps her dissatisfaction with the results of her plastic surgeries all boils down to one thing: she is not a good candidate for cosmetic procedures in the first place.

While cosmetic plastic surgery can have a positive impact on a person’s self-esteem and body image, this would not be the case if one is suffering from body dysmorphic disorder or BDD, a condition Montag may have.

People with BDD are excessively concerned about their appearance to the point that they develop imaginary defects in either one feature or several areas of their body.

Aside from being a bad candidate in the first place, Montag has pushed the limit of her body.  Always bear in mind that longer operating time from multiple procedures results to higher surgical trauma, more bleeding, more risks, and prolonged recovery.

However, what is more surprising is that Montag’s doctor has agreed to conduct 10 procedures all at the same time.  This practice is very uncommon, in fact most board-certified plastic surgeons would likely decline to perform this on their patients due to higher risk of complications.

For patients who are considering drastic transformation through cosmetic plastic surgery, many experts suggest that this should be done slowly over the years; in this way, there will be enough time to get used to the new appearance.

Another benefit is that the body has enough time to recover from the surgical trauma, reducing the risk of complications and avoiding poor results.