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. Instances of trauma, where an earring is suddenly pulled from the ears, often from a hair brush or child, can also give the appearance of torn or stretched lobes.

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 surgery? Contact us!

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 Portland.

Unfortunately there is no magic formula for determining which implant size is right for you, but considerations such as anatomy, cosmetic goals and lifestyle choices should all play a roll in your final decision. If you’re debating between one or more sizes, creating your own breast implant rice sizers is a great way to give you a more accurate idea of how your breasts will look and feel at varying implant sizes.

To make your own breast implant rice sizers at home, you will need the following materials:

• Pantyhose or tights
• Measuring cups
• Dry rice
• Scissors

Once you have your materials, begin by cutting each pantyhose leg off about halfway up from the bottom. Then stretch out each hose to make sure there is enough room for the rice. Using a measuring cup, you will then measure out your rice, making sure that you are filling the measuring cup completely. Sizes are as follows:

• 1 cup of rice = 250cc
• 1/2 cup of rice = 125cc
• 1/4 cup of rice = 75cc

Once you have filled each panty hose with the appropriate amount of rice, compress the rice at the bottom of the hose to round out the overall shape. Secure the rice by tying a knot directly above the rice filling. Cut off the remaining tail and you’re finished.

Wearing your new breast implant sizers underneath a sports will give you a realistic idea of how breast implants will look and feel under various clothing options. View the video below for a visual demonstration of creating your own breast implant sizers at home.

Find out more about breast augmentation in Portland, OR.

“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

“Men are often initially introduced when they come in with their wives, who are looking at having this or that done. When the husband is in there, he sees some of the information, and then he sort of gets interested. Then, when the wife comes in for a post-operation appointment, we’ll talk about his eyes or neck,” said Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a board-certified plastic surgeon in California.

Liposuction Ranks Top Plastic Surgery Procedure

Liposuction in particular, has grown immensely in popularity over the past few years among both men and women.  In 2011, over 300,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the U.S., exceeding the number of breast augmentations for the first time since 2008, according to recent statistics released by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

In addition to liposuction, the most popular anti-aging procedures for women in the past year included tummy tucks and eyelid procedures. For men, eyelid surgery was also at the top of the list, as well as male breast reduction, according to the ASAPS.

Though couples plastic surgery is not a trend that been recognized by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, most plastic surgeons who have noticed this trend between couples agree that their patients are typically between their late 30s and early 60s.

Find out more about liposuction in Portland.

Source: LA Times

“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: botulinum toxin type A (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 breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures in Portland, OR.

“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 Portland.

Source: KSDK News

“As you get older, your hands lose volume, fat and elasticity,” said NY plastic surgeon, Dr. John F. Farella. “The fatty layer of the hand disappears, so the skin is more translucent and shriveled, and you see underlying structures like bones, tendons and veins.”

Age is not determined solely by fine lines, sagging or wrinkles on the face, but by the skin on the top part of the hands, which tends to thin and wrinkle over time. “Look at Madonna or Sarah Jessica Parker,” said California plastic surgeon, Dr. Keith Marcus. “They have amazing bodies, but their hands have aged. You can almost see Madonna’s veins popping out.”

While hand lift surgery is not practical due to the risk of significant scarring and complications, plastic surgeons are looking at other options such as dermal fillers, intense pulsed light and CO2 laser resurfacing to rejuvenate the hands. According to Dr. Marcus, hand lift procedures typically take 5-to-10 minutes and can cost upwards of $1,200.

NYC dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler is also familiar with hand lift procedures and states that most side effects are mild and may include bruising or swelling of the hand. However, “if you’re having your hands injected like your face, do it with a very experienced injector.”

How can you avoid significant sun damage and aging of your hands in the first place? Wear sunscreen. “So much about the hands is about sunscreen,” said Wechsler. “Treat your hands like you treat your face. People wash their hands so much these days that they’re washing off their sunscreen. I keep a small sample size of sunscreen in my handbag.”

Learn more about hand lift procedures from a plastic surgeon in Portland.

Source: NYTimes

So what procedures has she really had? Rivers had no problem opening up on this topic – she’s had two facelifts, breast reduction and a tummy tuck. She also admitted to getting dermal fillers every six months as a maintenance routine. When asked why she’s been so open over the years about her plastic surgery procedures, she had this to say:

“We’re in a society where looks count… And all the beautiful women lie and say ‘I’ve done nothing’ and that is so unfair. And I just want women to know it’s okay, do it.”

Rivers also had some advice for those in search of a plastic surgeon:

• Ask your hair dresser for advice because he or she can see the scars from plastic surgery
• Look your plastic surgeon up on the internet and make sure there are no outstanding law suits
• Interview your plastic surgeon and make sure he or she is compassionate
• Arrange a meeting with the anesthesiologist

In the opening episode of her reality show Joan and Melissa, Joan Knows Best, Joan bares all and shows the audience a step-by-step look at what plastic surgery entails from start to finish. “I wanted to people to see what it really was about.”

When asked if she feels that means justify the end result, she answered yes, with no hesitation. “I think it gives you such self-esteem. It makes you feel good. It’s a very happy experience.”

Learn more about plastic surgery in Portland.

Regular mammograms are the most effective way to detect instances of breast cancer in women. You should never have to sacrifice your health for beauty, which means women may need to take additional steps when seeking out regular mammograms after breast augmentation.

Mammograms must be performed in a special way for women after breast augmentation in order to see the breast tissue effectively. If performed incorrectly, it is possible for mammogram screenings to provide inaccurate results for these women. Factors such as implant placement, type of mammogram technique utilized and technician training and expertise can all affect the results of the mammogram.

According to ImplantInfo.com, women who have undergone breast augmentation should take certain precautions when seeking out mammograms. If you have breast implants, you can assure more accurate breast cancer screenings by following the steps below:

• Ask your plastic surgeon if he or she can give you a referral for your mammogram
• Verify that the staff is properly trained and certified to give mammograms
• Explain to the staff, prior to your appointment, that you have had breast augmentation
• If possible, request to work with a technician that has experience with breast implants
• Remind your technician that you have breast implants prior to your mammogram

In addition to regular mammograms, women with breast augmentation should follow the same breast care guidelines as women who do not have implants. Monthly self-examinations should be implemented, and mammograms should be performed at the recommended intervals – initiating at age 35 and then continuing annually after age 40.

Learn more about mammograms after breast augmentation in Portland.

Source: Times Union