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.

Ashley Judd Denies Plastic Surgery, Cites Steroids for Her Puffy Face

Over the past couple of days, Ashley Judd’s photos were circulating the Internet over speculations that the actress had undergone plastic surgery or dermal fillers because of her unusually puffy cheeks. 

Rumors of the actress’ plastic surgery started after she appeared on a Canadian talk show to promote her new show Missing.  However, her representative immediately released a statement saying the star has been “battling an ongoing, serious sinus infection and flu,” requiring her to take heavy doses of medication, including steroids.

Steroids may lead to swelling, apparently making Judd’s cheeks “puffier” than usual.

On Wednesday, the actress tweeted “Thanks to all asking how I’ve been feeling, still very sick (flu + viral infection in sinuses = wicked) but staying positive & having fun.”

Meanwhile, RadarOnline.com was the first to write about Judd’s unusual appearance which was allegedly caused by too much dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm.  However, many doctors came to her rescue saying that steroids and bouts of sinus infection can trigger swelling especially in the face.

And with three weeks of having sinus infection and “two rounds of drugs,” it is not uncommon to have some swelling in the cheeks.

Many people are also not convinced by rumors of celebrity plastic surgery because the actress has apparently gained some weight—something which may also lead to “chubby cheeks.”

Perhaps the rumors of plastic surgery was based on assumption that Judd has joined the bandwagon of celebrities with “pillow face,” which is a term used by doctors describing over-plump faces due to excessive use of dermal fillers like Restylane and Sculptra, leading to a very unnatural appearance.

Because of having a pillow face, celebrities like Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pamela Anderson, and Courtney Love were once dubbed as “cheeky girls,” which is some kind of derision.

Cindy Jackson, Plastic Surgery, and Her Quest for Beauty

While women tend to deny having cosmetic surgery and claim that their beauty was genetic, Cindy Jackson, who currently holds the Guinness World Record for having the most cosmetic surgeries, is even proud of her “surgically enhanced” appearance that she even said she will not stop her quest for youthful beauty.

While Jackson is about to celebrate her 57^th birthday, her appearance is far from looking old.  In fact, she can be mistaken as a 25-year-old vixen—a clear proof that plastic surgery, if done carefully to a patient who has a deep understanding with beauty, can do great wonders.

It was 25 years ago when Jackson started having plastic surgery to turn herself from a plain-looking country girl to a beautiful swan.  She said that on average, she spends two weeks each year having the procedure and recovering from it.

Her undying quest for youthful beauty started in 1977 when she migrated from Ohio to London to study fine arts.  During her college years, she learned that Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and other great artists were able to capture the beauty in their works because of their deep understanding with an “ideal face.”

But even at a young child, Jackson said she was fascinated with the near-perfect appearance of a Barbie doll, a gift she received from her parents when she was 6 years old.  Also, she realized that beauty can give a girl more advantage than those plain-looking ones.

“The teachers were kinder than them (pretty girls),” Jackson was quoted saying in a previous interview.

In her playful, young mind, Jackson imagined that she was the doll who is living a glamorous and happy life in London.  Surprisingly, such fantasy became a reality when she decided to go to UK and live there for good.

But before going under the knife, she made a wish list of plastic surgeries that would turn her into a beautiful woman that almost resembles a Barbie doll.  She wrote down the changes she wanted and these include fuller lips, perfect white teeth, more feminine jawline, smaller nose, wider eyes, smaller waistline, smoother skin, thinner thighs and knees, and higher cheekbones.

According to her estimates, she spent £62,000 or around US$98,000 on 52 cosmetic surgeries including two eyelid lifts, countless of liposuction, nose job, cheek implant surgery, jaw restructuring, and five facelifts.  On the other hand, she spent £20,000 or about US$31,700 on non-invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, and Botox.

Surprisingly, she gets most of her funds from exclusive interviews and two books she wrote about plastic surgery.  To date, she also offers her own skincare products and has made herself a cosmetic surgery consultant.

Houston Denied for Plastic Surgery 2 Weeks Before Her Death

Two weeks before Whitney Houston was found dead inside a hotel, the singer has been allegedly turned down for plastic surgery after failing in medical examinations, according to a report published by RadarOnline.

Plastic surgeon Marc Mani has been reported to reject Houston from having facelift surgery, a procedure the singer deemed necessary to make her appearance youthful again.  However, the doctor refused to comment citing the federal medical privacy laws.

While the results of the medical examinations were not revealed, it has been reported that Houston’s lungs, liver, and heart were tested.

One source who asked for anonymity said the singer was concerned with her aging face and wanted to undergo a facelift surgery.

Last Saturday, the singer, whose one of the most famous songs were “I Will Always Love You” was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel.  While the cause of death is yet to be determined, preliminary reports showed she had taken sedatives; prescribed medications were also found inside her room including Valium, Lorazepam, and Xanax.

With the rumors of plastic surgery, there are some speculations that the star has medical issues that led Mani to decline performing any elective procedure.

One of the criteria for having cosmetic procedures like facelift is to be physically healthy.  This is important to avoid or at least minimize the risk of complications such as excessive bleeding, delayed healing, gangrene, and infection.

Contestant Who Collects Most Mardi Gras Beads to Receive Free Plastic Surgery

Another controversial story about plastic surgery has made headlines.  Just recently, an organization of Buffalo bars has offered free breast implant surgery to the contestant who will collect the most number of beads during the Mardi Gras celebration.

(Throwing beads has been a long-standing tradition in Mardi Gras.  Meanwhile, many people don’t know that each bead color has its symbol: purple represents justice, gold symbolizes power, and green signifies faith.)

Going back to the unconventional prize, the contest is open to men and women.  While the main award is breast augmentation, the winner can opt for other cosmetic surgeries such as nose job (or rhinoplasty), tummy tuck, and other similarly priced procedures.

One manager of a nightclub believes that giving free plasticsurgery “is an attention grabber,” according to the Buffalo News.  

As expected, not everyone is happy with the contest.  Some people have criticized it saying that it somewhat “reinforces poor body image in women.”  However, there are those who have posted more positive comments on the event’s Facebook wall.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time plastic surgery has been used as a prize.  A few months ago, two women in Chicago have won free breast augmentation given by a local radio station.  The contestants were required to tell their reasons why they would want to undergo the knife.

A casino in Atlantic has also offered jackpot in the form of plastic surgery such as breast augmentation, cheek implants, and liposuction, in addition to non-surgical procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers.  The contest, dubbed as the Tuck and Lift Sweepstakes, has surprisingly attracted many gamblers.  

With the growing acceptance and popularity of cosmetic plastic surgery, more contests are expected to offer and raffle off this procedure.  However, not everyone who wants to have some sort of “surgical enhancements” is a good candidate because of certain risks particularly for those with health issues and unrealistic goals and expectations.

FDA Approves New Cellulite Treatment

Just recently, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Cynosure’s Cellulaze which is a technology that uses a laser device to reduce cellulites which commonly occur in the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen.

This new technology minimizes the appearance of cellulites by repairing the connective tissue and improving the skin.  In addition, it can target the lumpy fat pockets which are the main cause of the “orange peel” appearance.

To further diminish the appearance of cellulites, Cellulaze has also been designed to encourage the body to produce collagen, which is the protein responsible for making the skin look young and glowing.  Another advantage is that one treatment is enough to achieve the desired result, which is not the case with other anti-cellulite treatments.

Cellulaze is a relatively safe procedure; in fact, only local anesthesia is required to perform the treatment.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, plastic surgeons will make a few tiny incisions (about the size of a pen’s tip) where the Cellulaze laser fiber is inserted.  The device will then release heat energy that levels out the lumpy fat pockets and removes the “dimples” by releasing the fibrous bands that are pulling down the skin. After this, the liquefied fat is gently pressed out.

Meanwhile, the entire procedure usually takes an hour or so.

The Cellulaze treatment somewhat resembles liposuction because of the use of tiny incisions.  And just like in lipo, patients are required to wear compression garments for several days to support the new contour.

In most cases, patients can resume their normal activities a day or two after the Cellulaze treatment, although they have to avoid strenuous activities within one to two weeks.

The good thing about this new anti-cellulite treatment is that the appearance of the skin will continue to improve for the next three to twelve months.

Plastic Surgery Procedures Rise in 2011

For the second straight year, the number of plastic surgery patients increased in 2011, according to data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

A total of 13.8 million plastic surgeries were performed in 2011, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year.  Meanwhile, ASPS has attributed the growing demand for such procedures to the strong consumer confidence.

Breast augmentation still remained the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery, with 307,000 procedures conducted in 2011 or jumping by 4 percent from the previous year.  However, facelift surgery made it to the top five for the first time since 2004 due to the aging baby boomers.

Over the past couple of years, facelift has been one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery, a trend which is attributed to the fact that more workers are postponing their retirements in addition to the growing number of seniors.

The second most popular procedure was rhinoplasty or more commonly referred to as “nose job,” followed by liposuction, eyelid lift, and facelift.

While the surgical cosmetic procedures have increased by 2 percent from the previous year, the growth of the market has been primarily driven by minimally invasive procedures which increased by 6 percent to about 12.2 million procedures.

Examples of minimally invasive procedures include dermalfillers, Botox injection, laser skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, chemicalpeels, and microdermabrasion.

Botox has remained the most commonly performed minimally invasive procedure, with about 5.7 million procedures last year, increasing by 5 percent from 2010.  This treatment uses a small dose of toxin that paralyzes the facial muscles to prevent them from moving too much, thereby minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

Dermal filler like (brands) Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and even natural fats grafted from the patient’s own body has also been one of the most commonly used minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatments.  These are used to correct the gaunt appearance and “fill in” the creases caused by the loss of facial volume.

Meanwhile, the number of reconstructive plastic surgery has also increased 5 percent in 2011.  This is often covered by health insurance because unlike the cosmetic procedure, this is performed to improve body functions and correct severe abnormalities and defects.

The top five reconstructive plastic surgeries in 2011 were tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, and hand surgery.

While breast reconstruction was not included in the top five reconstructive surgeries, it continues to rise, with more than 96,000 procedures performed in 2011 or jumping by 3 percent from the previous year.

Plastic Surgery to Look Like Your Lover?

While some people in the US seek plastic surgery to look like their celebrity idol, this is not the case for some patients in China who want to undergo the procedure so they would look like their lover.

According to a news report, a couple in Chengdu has consulted a cosmetic plastic surgeon to ask for a procedure that would make them look more alike.  And surprisingly, this is not the only time the doctor has heard such request; in fact, he said it was the third time.

The woman—while she shares her boyfriend’s big eyes and thick brows—believes she needs a cosmetic surgery to make her face as thin as her lover’s.

However, Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, disapproves such kind of plastic surgery because the goals and expectations of patients are “unhealthy and unrealistic.”

“You want to undergo plastic surgery because it is an individual decision and no one forced or asked you to have the procedure.  And besides, what will happen if a couple becomes separated, it may be traumatic for the one who had the matching plastic surgery every time he or she faces the mirror,” Smaili said.

The surgeon also said he was concerned with the “feasibility of the desired result of matching plastic surgery because it also depends on the facial structure of a person and certain anatomical limitations.”

“It is very hard, or in many cases even impossible, to look like someone after plastic surgery because the result also depends on the facial structure.  For instance, nose job will not give you a nose that looks like Brad Pitt’s because the final outcome is largely affected by the amount of skin and cartilage,” Smaili said.   

With the cosmetic surgeon’s warning, perhaps couple who are considering to undergo “matching plastic surgery” should instead spend the Valentine’s Day to a romantic getaway. 

Saline Vs Silcone By Dr. Tarick Smaili

Tax-Free Cosmetic Surgeries

Many organizations in the healthcare sector are steadfast in opposing the tax in cosmetic surgery or what is more commonly dubbed as “Bo-Tax.”  Just recently, they have succeeded in pressuring lawmakers in New Jersey to make various nips and tucks tax-free.

(But because the state still has to beef up its tax collection, it has decided to impose a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services.  If the plan pushes through, it can generate about $2.7 billion over the next 10 years.)

Meanwhile, leading LosAngeles plastic surgeon Dr. Tarick Smaili believes that plastic surgery, both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, should not be taxed especially that the practice affects the middle-class patients who make up the vast majority of people seeking such treatments.

Smaili said the proposed “Bo-Tax” bill during the previous years in California was based on misconception that cosmetic plastic surgeries are only for rich patients.  But on the contrary, majority of such procedures were performed on middle-class individuals.

Citing the new law in New Jersey, Smaili believes the same thing should be adopted by other states because the “unfair tax” will simply be passed on to patients, in addition to the fact that it would also potentially violate patient privacy.

If the tax would be imposed to patients, Smaili is concerned that they may just seek cosmetic surgery outside the country where medical malpractice law and consumer protection are not as strong and stringent as in the US.

“Unfortunately, many patients choose doctor based on who charge less, and if they find cosmetic surgery to be expensive here because of the unfair tax, they may decide to go abroad to receive the procedure.  That’s where the problem begins; in case of botched surgery, it is possible to go after the foreign surgeon?  In most cases, it isn’t,” Smaili said.

Non-Invasive Cosmetic Procedures a Trend in 2012

Cosmetic procedures, both non-invasive and surgical forms, are continuously increasing in the US, according to a survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).  However, the organization said more patients are favoring non-surgical treatments such as Botox injection and soft tissue fillers.

In 2010, 13.1 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the country, with about 88 percent accounting to non-invasive treatments.  Meanwhile, almost half of the patients were in their 40s and 50s, a clear manifestation of Americans’ obsession to youthful beauty.

One advantage of non-invasive cosmetic procedures over surgical ones is that they involve no recovery or require little downtime.  However, one consideration is that they often need maintenance so the patients can preserve their youthful appearance; for instance, Botox and collagen injection must be repeated at least every six months.

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) is expecting that non-invasive cosmetic procedures especially those treating the signs of aging will increase in numbers.  Botox and Dysport, which both uses neurotoxin in small dosage, will continue their popularity.

Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm will also continue their popularity.  These treatments are used to “fill in” hollowed facial areas such as the cheeks although certain types can also used in lip augmentation.

In addition, non-surgical body contouring procedures such as VelaSmooth and Zerona will continue their popularity.

Over the past couple of years, liposuction has been one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US.  But nowadays, new technologies have made it possible to perform the procedure without using incisions; in fact, some doctors simply inject a concoction of drugs to the fatty areas to melt these away, allowing the body to naturally flush these out.

These are the advantages of minimally invasive procedures over cosmetic plastic surgery:

·         The treatments are performed quickly.

·         Most procedures are relatively painless or at least the discomfort can be minimized by local anesthesia.

·         Bed rest is not required because there is little or no downtime.

·         Side effects are minor.  But in case the patients develop some swelling, redness, and bruising, these symptoms will likely subside a day or two.

·         The procedures are ideal for patients who do not want the idea of going under the knife.

·         Most non-invasive treatments provide instantaneous results because there is little or no symptom such as swelling and bruising.

·         The non-invasive cosmetic procedures are much cheaper than plastic surgery.

Brazilian Butt Lift and Liposuction Performed at the Same Time

Brazilian butt lift is a body contouring procedure that uses a patient’s own fats to augment her derriere.  With this innovative technique, the risk of adverse reaction—which is a concern with synthetic devices such as buttock silicone implants—is almost eliminated.

But to collect the fats from the donor site (abdomen, thighs, back), plastic surgeons have to perform liposuction.  However, traditional technique somewhat injures the fatty tissues, leading to their low survival rate in the new location.

Traditional liposuction uses a mechanical force to dislodge and break up the fats.  With the sharp tip of the cannula (suctioning probe) which is moved back and forth, some of the fatty tissues are damaged.  Another concern is that the technique involves longer recovery and more postoperative pain and discomfort because of the high surgical trauma.

Fortunately, a new liposuction technique allows plastic surgeons to remove the fats gently, thereby paving way for their higher survival rate in their new location which is the buttocks.  This is called water-assisted lipo in which they use a cannula that releases pressurized water to dislodge the fatty deposits.

Body-Jet is the technology used in water-assisted liposuction.  This technique is particularly ideal when performing the Brazilian butt lift and facial fat fillers to fill in the creases and hollowed areas.

The good thing about Body-Jet is that it can be used to any areas of the body where the excess fats accumulate.  And because it can gently remove the fatty tissues, the survival rate of the grafted fats is high; in fact, most patients can enjoy its long-lasting result.

Once the fats are collected, plastic surgeons carefully purify them in order to separate the blood, connective tissues, and other sort of impurities.  During the purification method, they are very careful not to contaminate the fats because it can lead to low survival rate and temporary result.

A small amount of purified fat is then injected into different areas of the butt cheeks and at various depths; with this technique, patients can get the highest permanent fat absorption rate.  Take note that the fatty tissues that survive one year after the procedure will likely last a lifetime.

Aside from the extraction and purification of fats, doctors also have to be careful during the injection process to achieve a smooth and natural appearance to the buttocks.

But as with any cosmetic surgery, the Brazilian butt lift has its limit: it cannot be performed on thin patients who have not enough excess fats.

Did Bruce Jenner Undergo Another Plastic Surgery?

Bruce Jenner is in the limelight again.  Not because of his stepdaughters and their notorious escapades but because of his plastic surgery rumors.  Just recently, the “Keeping up with the Kardashians” star has been accused of having another plastic surgery after he appeared in public with a noticeable scar on his cheek.

But much to the disappointment of celebrity bloggers and showbiz reporters, Jenner’s scar is not caused by facelift or any cosmetic procedure.  The former Olympian had surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his face, according to a report published in Us Weekly.

The magazine cited an unnamed source although Jenner had not yet confirmed if his scar is really from a cancer surgery.

Perhaps those people who jumped into a conclusion that Jenner’s scar is from plastic surgery cannot be blamed as the reality tv star had admitted to have some nips and tucks in the past—a mini facelift when he was 35 years old and then followed by rhinoplasty or “nose job.”

Because the result of Jenner’s mini facelift was not as natural as it should be, he has been criticized for his “wind-swept” look and squinty eyes—clear manifestations of bad plastic surgery. 

In an effort to “correct” the not-so-natural result of Jenner’s initial facelift, his wife and stepdaughters convinced him to get a revision plastic surgery several years ago.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, a cosmetic surgeon who did not treat Jenner, said that facelift is not only about removing the sagging skin and wrinkles.

“For me, the most important thing aside from making the face more youthful is also maintaining the natural shape of the eyes and face.  No one would like to have squinty eyes or a face that looks like it was blown by a strong wind.  With this in mind, I am very carefully when it comes to removing the sagging skin although I prefer going deeper into the facial muscle so the result will last 10 to 15 years,” Smaili said.

To avoid botched results, Smaili advised patients to carefully choose their plastic surgeons and make sure that they have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Smaili added that patients considering facelift surgery should make sure that their doctors have expertise in facial rejuvenation.

“People should remember that not because their doctors provide them great breast augmentation result does not necessarily mean that they are also good in facelift.  First and foremost, two procedures are very different from each other,” Smaili said.

Dr Smaili Google Plus profile

Mother Gives 7-Year-Old Daughter Plastic Surgery Voucher

It is quite appalling that a mother gave her 7-year-old daughter a £7,000-voucher for liposuction last Christmas.  According to recent reports, Sarah Burge, UK’s Human Barbie, has given her child this “unusual” gift instead of toys, clothes, and things her age will likely appreciate.

Just previously, Burge said that she gave her daughter a £6,000-voucher for breast augmentation as a present for her birthday.

First and foremost, plastic surgery should never be imposed by parents to their children unless these are purely done for reconstructive purposes—and apparently, liposuction and breast augmentation are not. 

Dr. Tarick Smaili, one of the leading Los Angeles plastic surgeons, said that cosmetic surgery should only be conducted on patients who are physically and emotionally mature, adding that “such procedures should never be brought up by parents to their children, especially those who are not bothered by their appearance.”

“The desire to have cosmetic surgery should only come from the patients themselves, not from anyone else.  Even your parent, husband, wife, or friend should not dictate what you have to do with your appearance,” Smaili said.

However, Burge claimed that she just want to “invest in her daughter’s future” and even compared the plastic surgery vouchers to something like “an investment for education.”

Burge, who has been reported to spend nearly $1 million for cosmetic plastic surgery, disproves accusation that she is a bad mother and defends her stance by saying that “good looks is important and there should be no stigma for anyone wanting to be beautiful.”

But despite her claims, Smaili believes Burge’s presents to her daughter can send a bad message to her young mind.

“Any ethical, self-respecting cosmetic surgeon would not recommend such thing.  First and foremost, board-certified plastic surgeons like me would not perform procedures if there is really no flaw or if the patients are too young to understand the ramifications of such procedures,” he said.

Last year, Burge gave her daughter a breast augmentation voucher and claimed that it has always been a request of her child.  (In the UK, the legal age for this procedure is 16, while in the US the Food and Drug Administration requires a patient to be at least 18 if she will choose saline implants, or 22 if she wants to have silicone implants.)

Meanwhile, perhaps Burge has to realize that the best gift she can give her daughter is letting her develop physically and emotionally at an appropriate rate for her age.

23% of US Adults Consider Plastic Surgery If Money Is Not an Is Issue

It seems like more and more Americans are considering going under the knife if only money is not an issue.  According to a recent study released by CouponCabin.com, about 23 percent of adults said they would like to have cosmetic procedure if the costs were lower.

The study, which involved 2,500 respondents, revealed that women are still more eager to have some nip and tucks than men; however, it does not mean that male patients are quite rare in cosmetic plastic surgery.  In fact, they accounted for about 10 percent of all cosmetic surgeries in the US.

According to the finding, 28 percent of female respondents said they would consider cosmetic surgery, while 18 percent men favored the procedure.  Meanwhile, the study was conducted between January 5 and 9 on US adults aged 18 years and older.

In addition, 9 percent of women aged between 18 and 44 said they have used online coupon to enjoy discounts on cosmetic procedures such as Botox injection, laser skin resurfacing, and other non-invasive treatments.  On the other hand, about 22 percent of respondents who have not used “daily deal” said they would consider using it.

About 31 percent of women between 18 and 44 years old said they would consider online coupon to enjoy discounts of cosmetic procedures compared to 23 percent of men in the same age bracket.

While non-invasive procedures are usually offered by online companies that promote discounts vouchers, surgical treatments such as breast augmentation and face lift are quite rare.  However, it did not stop Groupon from offering up to 50 percent discounts on aesthetic surgeries.

But in November 2011, the popular online company has been accused of being irresponsible as it seemed to pressure consumers to buy vouchers for a limited time period.  According to Advertising Standards Authority, the practice clearly violated a provision by the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) prohibiting cosmetic doctors from offering “date-linked” incentives.

While people have different views on plastic surgery, it is important to remember that the procedure is a serious decision to make; in fact, any ethical doctor would require a lengthy consultation to determine if a patient is qualified or not to receive a certain procedure.

A qualified patient should be physically healthy, emotionally mature, and well-rounded individual who can understand the ramifications of plastic surgery, including not just the benefits but also the potential risks.  It is also important that he or she has realistic goals and expectations with a certain procedure.

Eyelid Surgery for the Asian Eyes

Contrary to popular belief, Asian eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), which is a cosmetic procedure that defines or creates new eyelid creases, does not aim to westernize the look of patients or hide their “ethnic features.”  First and foremost, it cannot change the fundamental shape of the eyes.

The result of Asian eyelid surgery is the same as the one found in about half of the Chinese population.  Aside from creating a new set of eyelid folds, this cosmetic surgery can also correct an “incomplete” eyelid creases that stop from the middle. 

The procedure, which is also called the double eyelid surgery, is also used to balance the eyes.  Ten percent of the population from the South East Asia and Far East has a natural fold on one of their eyelids while the other lack this feature.

There are many techniques used in the Asian eyelid surgery to provide patients with the most natural result possible.  The variations are also necessary because of the different goals: create a new set of eyelid folds; change the height of the existing creases; or complete an “incomplete” pleat.

One of the techniques involves the use of internal sutures that act as a support to the new eyelid creases.  Plastic surgeons make sure the devices are attached to a strong cartilage called tarsal plate so they are less likely to tear through the skin and the result can be long lasting.

Aside from suturing techniques, cosmetic surgeons also use incisions (made by scalpel or surgical knife) to create new eyelid folds or place them to a higher position.  However, this method results to longer recovery and more bruising and swelling during the first few days of healing period.

Because the incisions made by scalpel are often associated with increased bleeding, some doctors use laser beam that prevents this problem as it cauterizes the tissues and blood vessels.  However, the same principle is applied: remove a small amount of fats, skin, and/or muscle to create eyelid folds.

In general, the recovery after Asian eyelid surgery is longer than the typical blepharoplasty in which the only goal is to remove the sagging skin and fats to make the eyes appear younger and more rejuvenated.  Meanwhile, most of the healing takes place within the first six weeks following the surgery.

The cost of Asian eyelid surgery typically ranges between $3,000 and $5,000 although it still depends on the location and surgeon’s fee.

Plastic Surgery and Postoperative Depression

Plastic surgery,

whether performed for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons, involves recovery
period which may last for several days to months, depending on the treated
area, extensiveness of the incisions, and patient’s healing ability.
Because recovery after surgery involves pain and discomfort,
it is not uncommon for some patients to experience anxiety and slight
depression during the period. And for
those who will undergo any facial rejuvenation surgery, feeling blue is more
common because of the swelling and bruising in their face which may take
several days or weeks to subside.
Feeling low especially during the first few days of recovery
is quite normal. This may be caused by the
effects of anesthesia, postsurgical traumatic stress syndrome, certain
medications that may lead to constipation and grogginess, and limited physical
movements. Plus, the fact that walking
or standing up straight is usually associated with slight discomfort.
But as the days go by, most of the postoperative symptoms
such as swelling and bruising start to drastically subside that patients can
already visualize the final result of the surgery. However, some may experience residual
swelling that may even last for several months.
For example, the residual swelling after rhinoplasty or “nose job” can take nine
months to a year to subside; with this consideration, a patient who wants to
have a revision surgery because she is not satisfied with the result should
wait for a certain period of time or until the swelling is completely gone.
While slight depression is normal during recovery, a patient
should consult her doctor if it lasts more than usual, affects her relationship
with other people, and prevents her to function well at work or school.
Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for some previously obese
patients who underwent bariatric surgery and then body lift (to remove the hanging skin in the abdomen, thighs, upper
arms, and other sagging areas) to feel depressed as food has been their source
of comfort and even addiction at some point in their lives.
Because some body lift patients who were previously obese
may experience depression, many plastic
surgeons nowadays work closely with behaviorists and psychologists to help
their patients stick to a healthy lifestyle, which in turn will allow them to maintain
the result throughout their lives.
It is important to note that while touch-ups after body lift
are fairly common (5 to 15 percent), repeated procedures are generally not good
because of additional scarring and higher cost of surgery.