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Special skill and knowledge are essential and specialists
in Cosmetic Surgery are competent in the anatomy, physiology,
pathology and basics sciences. The educational profile
of this specialty is unique in that it begins with
a fully trained and certified surgeon. Through continued
post-residency education training, and experience,
Cosmetic Surgery is taught and learned across traditional
disciplinary boundaries. The subspecialty fully incorporates
the participation and knowledge from all contributing
disciplines to attain a high level of skill and understanding.
Contributing disciplines include Dermatologic Surgery,
Facial Plastic Surgery, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery,
Otolaryngology, Oculoplastic Surgery, Oral-maxillofacial
Surgery and others.
The Cosmetic Surgeon offers specialized expertise in
patient education and counseling, procedural skills,
and the early recognition and treatment of complications.
As a specialty, Cosmetic Surgeons have enhanced the
knowledge and training of fellow physicians and directly
benefited society through educational publications,
scientific journals and in the development of safe
and innovative techniques. Competency in Cosmetic Surgery implies a combination
of knowledge, surgical judgment, technical expertise
and ethics in order to achieve the goal of providing
aesthetic improvement.
What is the difference between
Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery?
Plastic Surgery is defined as a surgical specialty
dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body
defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns,
and disease.
Cosmetic Surgery is elective and meant to enhance one’s appearance and
Plastic Surgery is necessary and reconstructive in nature.
How many people undergo Cosmetic Surgery each year?
According to AACS Statistics, nearly 870,000 Cosmetic Surgery procedures were
performed in 2003, a 6.7% increase from 2002.
How many men have Cosmetic Surgery?
Over 89,000 cosmetic procedures are performed on men each year. And the number
gets larger each year as men grow increasingly comfortable with the concept
of Cosmetic Surgery for themselves.
Liposuction carries greater risk
for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes,
significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation,
or those who have recently had surgery near the area
to be contoured.
What are the most popular procedures for men?
1. Botox
2. Hair Transplantation/Restoration
3. Chemical Peel
4. Microdermabrasion
5. Liposuction
At what age do most people have Cosmetic Surgery?
The average age of patients receiving Cosmetic Surgery
is 41. Treatments such as Breast Augmentation, Liposuction,
Rhinoplasty and Dermabrasion are common among younger
patients while procedures including Blepharoplasty,
Breast Lift, Facelift and Botox are more commonly
sought after by older patients
What is the current
medical consensus regarding the safety of silicone
Breast Implants?
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and other
medical associations have put forth a great deal
of research on the safety of silicone breast implants.
Recently, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute
of Medicine came to the following conclusions based
on new studies on silicone breast implant safety:
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There is no evidence suggesting silicone
used for Breast Implants are toxic to
humans.
-
There is no established link between implants
and a unique disease syndrome. Problems ascribed
to implants generally involve symptoms that are nonspecific and
common to the general population.
-
Breast
Cancer mortality is not higher in women
who have implants. However, the presence
of
implants can make it difficult to detect cancer through
mammography.
-
Women with Breast Implants are no more likely
than the rest of the population to
develop serious illnesses.
Is Botox dangerous?
Even though
Botox is a formulation of botulinum toxin type
A, it is sterilized and purified
for medical applications. Since Botox treatments
are a non-surgical procedure, the risks and
possible complications are infrequent, minimal
and temporary. The most common reported side-effects
are headaches, respiratory infection, flu syndrome,
temporary eye-lid droop, and nausea.
Is there a right age to undergo Plastic Surgery?
This depends on the procedure and is determined
on a case-by-case basis. Certain reconstructive
Surgery procedures have been performed on patients
of all ages, while certain procedures are recommended
for more mature patients. Consult with your Plastic
surgeon to determine if you are a qualified candidate
for the procedure you are considering.
Is Plastic Surgery dangerous?
There is always
the risk of complications occurring during the
operation and even after the operation.
Each individual procedure has its share of risks.
Complications can be reduced significantly by
choosing the right doctor. If you have any questions
or concerns about the procedure you are considering,
please share these feelings with your surgeon.
Do you need Anesthesia for
Plastic Surgery?
Almost
all Plastic Surgery procedures require some form
of anesthesia. Check with your Plastic
Surgeon as to which anesthesia he or she will
use during your operation.
How many procedures
can I have at the same time?
Multiple procedures
are done at the surgeon’s
discretion. Having multiple procedures performed
at the same time is less expensive than having
them performed individually. The benefit of doing
multiple areas at one time is that you take advantage
of the operating room. You have already paid
for the anesthesia and hospital fees. Having
the procedure performed separately means you
have to pay for these expenses again. Also, doing
all the procedures at one time can allow you
to only have to take one vacation from work for
recovery. However, there is increased risk of
complications. For example, by having multiple
procedures performed, the patient risks having
a prolonged exposure to general anesthesia. Consult
with your surgeon if you are considering having
multiple procedures.
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