Healthy Tips and Guide

How Can I Get Cheap Health Insurance Coverage?

2009-04-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

Less expensive health plans are what people are looking for. Nevertheless, these plans provide limited facilities.

Cheaper health coverage plans involve the cost of doctors’ visit, medicines, hospital stay and other medical costs. To receive inexpensive health insurance plans, people may have to sacrifice a few things they have always loved to do. Compared to the monthly premium option, yearly premium payments offers the best value in health coverage. Monthly payments are easier to make many insurance companies reason.

As a precaution, it’s always smart to buy low cost health insurance coverage. Group health insurance needs to be a well thought out decision. Organizations may offer affordable medical insurance to their members. Using an association group is another great option Some credit card companies offer low cost group health insurance coverage.

Some consumers might prefer looking into private health insurance, if money is a particular concern. National employees with individual coverage pay $250 more each year. (Medicare insurance). Find out if the previous company offers health insurance for retired people included with their retirement package. It is less expensive than buying health insurance yourself..

Solutions for Finding Cheap Health Insurance

Executif Summary About Cheap Health Insurance by Tom Musembi

Health insurance cost may be determined by a range of factors, namely: coverage selected, age, health condition, gender to some extent (some good companies charge males and females the same), and location of residence.

Low income will put insurance out of the reach of many people, but thankfully every state has a Medicaid program. Medicaid is a state administered program and each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services.

For those with children who are not covered by the parents insurance there is the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which was created to address the growing problem of children without health insurance. SCHIP was designed as a Federal/State partnership, similar to Medicaid, with the goal of expanding health insurance to children whose families earn too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough money to purchase private insurance.

When you pay for your own health insurance, you really want to spend your money wisely. HSAs do offer additional premium lowering options.

You want to use the resources of a site that features multiple plans from reputable companies. Be diligent and invest your effort upfront by ensuring that you buy a solid plan then sit easy knowing that you are covered.

Family Health Insurance Plans - How to Find The Best Provider Online

2009-04-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

Family health insurance plans typically need to offer more coverage than plans for an individual.
Pick Your Plan

Fees-for-service and managed care are the basic types of family health insurance plans offered. Fees-for-service allows you to choose your own physician, but often they don’t cover preventative care. Managed care plans offer preventative care with a lower premium, but you have to use physicians from their network.
Within these types of plans, there are hundreds of variations depending on the health insurance provider. Some providers offer preventive care coverage with their fees-for-service plans, while others allow you to go outside of a managed care network for a price.

Shop Online

Since 2001, health insurance providers have been competing online for customers. As a result, it is easier to gather quotes and research companies.

Demand Customer Service

The best health insurance providers offer excellent customer service along with a good price. Many providers offer customer service online, over the phone, or at an office. Health insurance providers are now completing most of the application process online.

Health Insurance 101 for Individuals and Families

Executif Summary About Best Health Insurance by Michael Ertel

The changing healthcare and health insurance landscape in the United States has resulted in more individuals and families purchasing health insurance coverage on their own.
-What are your typical health and medical care expenses in a calendar year? Most people are surprised when they go through this exercise to learn that they would be financially better off in most years to purchase a high deductible health insurance plan and use the premium savings to directly offset heath care expenses throughout the year.
-How long do you anticipate needing the health insurance coverage? It is nice to have a policy that covers items such as: physician office visits, routine physicals, outpatient testing, and blood work. However, it is essential to have coverage for major services such as cancer treatment, transplants, critical illness, traumatic accidents, and infectious diseases. Find out the lifetime maximum amount as well as if the policy contains “internal” dollar limits.
-Always carefully read and understand the pre-existing condition clause and policy exclusions so that you will not be surprised down the road if a claim is denied. 6)Does the insurance company you are considering have a substantial network of preferred doctors and hospitals in your area? Also, what are your options for preferred health care providers when traveling?
-If you need to go “out of network”, will you still have coverage? Most insurance policies will have coverage in the event you need to go outside of their network for care. How are reimbursement levels determined for out of network claims? In the right situation, HSAs can be an excellent way to pay for eligible health care expenses, reduce your taxable income and save for retirement.
-What are the financial ratings of the insurance company you are considering? A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s are organizations that rate the financial stability of insurance companies.
-What type of customer service will you get from your insurance agent? Do they specialize in health insurance? If you do not have the time or patience to look into all of the items mentioned above, develop a relationship with an independent insurance agent that specializes in evaluating and servicing health insurance policies.

Health Insurance Cost and Details

2009-04-06T00:51:00.000-07:00

We all need health insurance coverage to protect us when medical treatment or prescriptions are needed. Each year the costs of medical treatment and prescriptions are rising, and since the increases are ongoing the premiums of health insurance is increasing to match the change of costs.

Premiums are inevitable and it will include the costs paid toward coverage. Many health insurance providers breakdown the premiums comparing it with the cost of monthly coverage, and finally coming to the actual cost of coverage, combined with deductibles, premiums, co-payments, and so forth.

Meaning that the policyholder will agree to pay $200 to $1000 in deductibles to spare cost of coverage and premiums, and thus help the customer save money. The deductibles are tricky sometimes, because few insurance companies will deduct the deductibles from the balance owed to the healthcare provider before sending payment.

The co-payments are upfront fees that the patient will pay if he seeks medical treatment. The Co-Insurance is another fee that the policyholder will pay after he pays the deductible. Most insurance companies will pay up to eighty percent of the balance, leaving the patient to pay twenty percent. If the patient seeks medical treatment outside of the networking system (if applicable) then the patient will pay additional charges for treatment.

Furthermore, if you are seeking insurance coverage learn all you can about indemnity care plans, managed care plans, HMO, and other types of insurance before agreeing to any terms. This will help you to find the best premium rates, co-payment rates, and other rates that come along with health insurance policy.

Why Does Health Insurance Cost So Much?

Executif Summary About Health Insurance Cost by Michael Ertel

Why does health insurance cost so much? The basic answer is that a magic bullet to solve the cost of insurance does not exist because the real difficulty is controlling the cost of healthcare. A simple way to dramatically decrease the dollars spent on healthcare is to reduce the demand for healthcare.

I have seen estimates that up to 40% of all healthcare related expenses result from preventable conditions. Most of us, myself included, make lifestyle choices everyday that eventually increase our demand for healthcare. We are never going to be able to totally eliminate all lifestyle related healthcare costs.

However, improved lifestyle choices would cause a dramatic reduction in demand. Lower demand for healthcare would result in lower health insurance costs, increased productivity, and reduced absenteeism.

Obtain Cheaper Health Insurance Rates By Avoiding Alcohol, Smoking, And Applying Early

2009-04-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

The fact is, the longer you wait to obtain health insurance the higher probability that you will end up paying a higher insurance rate or premium assuming you are still healthy enough to qualify for health insurance.

Good health and habits also play a large role in determining your health insurance coverage and overall associated costs. Unfortunately what those same folks fail to realize is that normally most health insurance companies and providers require a medical pre-screening or physical before they actually provide health insurance coverage.

Typically, this medical screening combined with a thorough look over a person’s previous medical records identifies any current health ailments that exist with the potential insurance client and as a result the health insurance coverage amounts and rates are adjusted accordingly.

If you exam the economics side of health insurance you will see that the health insurance companies want to insure you while you are in your best possible health. Health insurance companies have gotten so good at this that they have three different types of coverage rates or premiums they classify consumers into based on their health.

Health insurance companies consider smoking a big deal so always make sure to tell the truth when filling out your health insurance application and receiving your medical exam and physical. Generally speaking many consumers under the age of sixty can still enjoy reasonable health insurance rates and adequate coverage so long as there are no major health problems or illnesses to contend with.

Compare Health Insurance Rates Online

Executif Summary About Health Insurance Rates by Jennifer Bailey

In these days of spiraling medical costs, it is important to buy a health insurance policy. You can achieve this by doing a comparative study of the policies available in the market, their prices and coverage, and also the companies that are selling health insurance policies.

Search the net and you will find many companies offering health insurance. You can then study the rates and the health insurance plans. For example, there are fee-for-service plans, managed care plans, HMOs or health maintenance organizations, PPOs or preferred provider organizations, and POS or point of service plans. PPOs and POS plans are also managed care plans and they also provide the services offered under the fee-for-service and HMO plans.

Humana One Health Insurance Company of Florida Review

2009-04-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

A Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida review is a useful piece of information to anyone who is considering taking out a policy with the company. If you are in the market for health insurance in the Sunshine State, find out if they may be a good option of your and your family by reading this review and then comparing some Humana Florida health insurance quotes.

Financial Stability

Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida has an A- rating with A.M. Best, one of the leading independent insurance ratings companies. This rating indicates that the company is considered financially stable.

Independent Ranking

Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida is not one of the higher-ranking companies in the country in terms of the best health plans for 2007.

Humana One Health Insurance Company Review - Humana Plans and Quotes

The company offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services through traditional and internet-based plans to employer groups, government-sponsored plans and individuals. Humana provides services to companies with fewer than ten employees to companies who employ thousands.

HUMANA CHOICE CARE NETWORK

Also, Humana is the first health benefits company to achieve registration for its Personal Nurses and Transplant Management Services.

HUMANA ONE

Humana One is Humana’s individual insurance plan. After the deductible expense is met, the Human Health Insurance policy pays 80% of the next $10,000 in covered expenses, the 100% up to $5,000,000. Doctor visits are included in the 80% coverage after the deductible is met. Humana offers custom build-your-own plans such as the Portrait Plan, Monogram Plan, Autograph Plan and the Autograph Plan/HSA.
Portrait Plan
The in-network co-insurance operates on a 80%/20% formula, where the insurance pays 80% and the subscriber pays 20%. This plan also offers unlimited office co-payments as long as you stay in network for your physician visits

Monogram Plan

The Monogram Plan offers a safety- net in coverage in case you ever need it.
Autograph Plan

This plan has the most flexibility in regard to designing a health plan that works the best for an individual’s specific needs.

Autograph Plan/HSA

The benefits and options offered in the Autograph Plan are also available in the Autograph Plan/HSA.

Optional Additions to Individual and Family Policies

Maternity Coverage. This option allows an individual to purchase four Doctor’s visits per year with a $25 co-pay for each visit.

Tonik Health Insurance

2009-04-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

Tonik health insurance is currently only offered in six states - Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, California, Nevada, and New Hampshire. Tonik Insurance is health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, and generic drug dispensation all rolled into one affordable and simple plan. You may apply for it online and it has instant approval for eligible applicants.

Tonik Health Insurance is comprehensive insurance coverage, and also adds in office visits, first-rate preventive care, emergency, and hospital care. Having this system of coverage, there’s no necessity for a primary physician, and with the Blue Card© program coverage you’re covered nationwide all over the United States. Tonik additionally retains its own continuous customer service department.

Costs differ from state to state and are additionally calculated on what program you select. There are 3 distinctive programs from which to choose, every one explained in clear and simple terms. The entire 3 programs present the equivalent multifaceted coverage: emergency, preventive, prescriptions, teeth, and eyes. The single dissimilarity is the monthly payment, co-pay, deductible, and amount of doctor’s appointments included.

A co-pay is a figure that you pay for a benefit. For instance with Tonik you might pay a $20, $30, or $40 co-pay for a doctor appointment. With this plan, you do get to select your own doctor.

All Tonik programs pay for generic drugs. Through Tonik, you pay only a $10 co-pay to have a generic prescription filled. Tonik doesn’t give coverage for brand name prescription. A lot of drugs do have a generic counterpart.

Tonik programs are comparable to the majority health plans that are presented in the United States. Then again, Tonik is somewhat distinctive since it doesn’t cover brand name drugs or maternity.

Every participating state particularly controls the costs of health insurance. This is done to make sure every person pays the identical premium.

Life and Health Insurance Agents

2009-04-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

Health insurance policy is an agreement between a client and an insurance company. Health insurance agents help covers the cost of medical tests such as drugs, accidents, tests etc depending on the policy scheme the customer has chosen. Life and Health Insurance Agents makes the client understand about various policies schemes and helps them to select policy that suits client’s financial and personal situation.

Health Insurance Agents sells policies that cover the expenses of medical treatment illness or injury. Health insurance agents also sell disability or dental or any medical illness policies. Life and Health Insurance Agents provides information on health and life insurance schemes, its risk covered its benefits and other features.

Nowadays customers can buy life and health insurance policy online through a reputed health insurance agent. An online application can be forwarded to insurance company by online Life and Health Insurance Agent. Life and Health Insurance Agents don’t advise to buy same insurance plans to their entire customer, they advise them depending on client’s financial position.

Life and Health Insurance Agents sells insurance that includes medical bills or death of insured person.

California Health Insurance Agents

Summary About Health Insurance Agents by Steve Valentino

California health insurance agents are people who solve all health insurance needs. In California, there are thousands of skilled insurance agents serving dozens of insurance companies. Nowadays, many online health insurance companies focus on finding prospects in the health industry and deliver them through health insurance agents.

Many agencies offer health insurance as part of their wide service spectrum. They have a group of specialized health insurance agents functioning in all parts of the state.

Health insurance is a meant to protect you from this excess health care expense. To get individual comprehensive major medical coverage, one can approach an insurance agent or broker. To sell health insurance products in California, brokers should have a valid license from the state government.

In the United States, especially in California, a number of private and government-run health insurance agencies exist. Insurance agents act as the link between these agencies and clients, and help their clients save money through comparison shopping and competitive insurance plans. These agents also inform clients about contemporary health insurance plans, and various discounts offered by the insurance company

Affordable Student Health Insurance

2009-04-06T00:17:00.000-07:00

Most educational institutions in the United States require a student to have
at least a minimum amount of health care insurance. Check to see if you are covered for health insurance under your parent’s

existing insurance plan. If you were previously covered under your parent’s
health insurance before going to school, your parent’s insurance company may
offer to continue your benefits for another 18 months.

Your college or university will probably offer you a choice of health care plans
– some of these may be group plans offering coverage through a Health
Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) If you
are going to school outside an area with HMO or PPO coverage, you may pay more
for your health insurance.

Health insurance plans for students have the usual exclusions and restrictions –
they may not cover you in the event of a pre-existing condition.

Affordable Student Health Insurance

Executif Summary About Students Health Insurance By Kevin Stith

Most educational institutions in the United States require students to have at least minimum Health Insurance. As a student, you probably have access to a number of Health Insurance plans offered by your educational institution.

Some of these are essentially group Health Insurance plans that offer services through either a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or a Health Maintenance Organization (PPO). These options are cheaper than if you tried to get individual Student Health Insurance. Be aware of the conditions not covered under your Student Health Insurance.

To help you understand comparisons when you shop for the most affordable Student Health Insurance, you need to understand the basic terminology of Health Insurance

Other post you may be interested in reading : Health Insurance Cost and Health Insurance Rates

Health Insurance Covering Families in Michigan

2009-04-06T00:16:00.001-07:00

UNICARE health insurance provides individuals and families low rate coverage and comprehensive plans. The plan may offer waivers on deductibles to family members that do not meet the limited doctor visits. The plans offer a “$30” Co-payment per member.

The plan may have low pricing with maximum deductibles of “$5000,” however, the doctor limits are increased. It depends on the insurer but few offer low cost plans with higher deductibles and “tax deferred” bargains. If the policyholder meets the deductibles then the company may pay the full price on prescription drugs generic brands.

If you are fall under the low-income guidelines, you may want to inquire about HMO PLANS. It is a managed health care plan that works within a network environment. At one time policyholders of HMO plans were permitted to go anywhere they choose to get medical treatment under the plan; however, the networking environment has increased restrictions and included exclusions under the plan.

There are two types of plans available, which include the HMO and PPO policies. Furthermore, it depends on the plans, but few HMO plans with prescriptions have no premiums, while others may charge minimal premiums per policy. There are also deductibles in few of the HMO plans, including the D plan.

Recently, Michigan HMO plans restored Chiropractic and Dental services to its plan; however, at one time there was no coverage for these services.

Individual or Family Health Insurance Options

2009-04-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

As more and more individuals working at home with or without families find themselves without some kind of group health insurance. Sometimes even working at a job, no health insurance is even offered.

Thousands of hard-working people in every state are making dangerous choices: No health insurance at all! You have to determine whether you are young if I really need the insurance. There are other types of insurance that gives you a discount on all your doctor and hospital bills.

Health insurance is not cheap but if you are over 35 years old, you probably should rethink whether you need individual or family health insurance coverage or is the discounted health insurance really right for you.

If you are an individual you might pay $400 getting the insurance privately but if you have a family you may pay $700+ each month just for an HMO. Can you afford that? If you are a college student, check with a college to see what their health insurance may cover. Otherwise, there are insurance companies that offer health insurance for college students.

This is not legal advice or any type of advice for you to get insurance or not.

Health Insurance Options & Free Clinics

Summary about Health insurance Options By Michael Perry

A growing number of people are forced to cope with a life lacking health insurance. For some, it’s a job that doesn’t offer coverage or a lack of employment altogether. When accepting a new employment position, applicants should consider the availability of health insurance.

Some employers provide it free of charge, while others charge employees a small fee for enrollment. A simple telephone call is all that it takes to learn which agencies will and will not offer health insurance. Some agencies require that the individual take a medical physical prior to being granted coverage, while others will not.

For those who cannot afford any type of health insurance, hospitals often provide a monthly payment plan for patients who do not have other coverage. Health insurance is the best way to ensure that an individual’s medical expenses be covered, even if it is a minimal amount of coverage. Even if it is temporary insurance, which is offered to individuals who are between jobs or find themselves temporarily without coverage, health insurance is a necessity .

Immune Supplements Can Prevent and Cure Most of So-called Incurable Diseases

2009-04-06T00:07:00.000-07:00

Early work has shown that a protein-energy malnutrition, significantly affected the immune response, thereby increasing the risk of infection and the mortality rate of patients suffering from chronic diseases, cancer, influenza, tuberculosis, etc.

More recently, it also appeared that obesity interfered with weak immune system. That is, people who have weakened immune system tend to gain weight more easily.

Without the immune system, the body cannot defend itself against aggression.

Immunity and supplements

Many studies have confirmed that certain vitamins and supplements (immune supplements) are capable not only of boosting the immune system, but of also fighting against its aging.

Malnutrition and Immune Function - It has long been known that malnourished people have a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases because of an inadequate immune response. The consequences of certain diseases, including HIV, cancer and tuberculosis, are all more pejorative when your immune system is weak.

Vitamins and Immunity - various studies have highlighted among people living with HIV /AIDS blood low concentrations of certain vitamins, especially vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E and folate.

Vitamin A - The deficit in vitamin A deteriorating function of epithelial cells, essential in maintaining the structure of tissues. B Complex - It has been demonstrated that vitamin B12 improves the rate of T cells and NK cell activity in patients with a deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin C - Deficiency of vitamin C impairs phagocyte function and cellular immunity (Chandra, 1986).

Studies of mega dose vitamin C supplementation in healthy individuals have found the supplement to bolster both cellular and humoral immunity
Vitamin E - Vitamin E plays a key role as antioxidant in cell membranes. Several micro-nutrients have significant roles in the functions of the immune system.

Vitamins to Boost Immune System

Executif Summary About Immune System Vitamins By Megan Shannon

Luckily, there are multiple ways to boost your immune system, including the oral consumption of vitamins. The Mayo Clinic offers useful information on vitamins for boosting your immune system (see Resources).
Vitamin A

This is the vitamin that is basically the defense to your immune system. Vitamin A helps prevent germs, viruses and bacteria from entering your body to wreak havoc on your immune system.
Vitamin C

This is the vitamin you need to have in order to boost your immune system. Vitamin C makes the proteins inside your body responsible for killing viruses and germs.
Vitamin E

This vitamin also plays a role concerning the immune system. Vitamin E produces another protein, interleukin-2, that fights and kills bacteria and viruses in your body.
B Vitamins

These vitamins are known to supply the body with more energy as well as boost the immune system.
Zinc

Zinc is another way you can boost your immune system.

A Simple Diet to Use With Diet Supplements

2009-04-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

Diet Supplements

Step 1: Choose a Diet Supplement that will work to motivate you and help curb your appetite.

Step 2: Follow this diet for 7 days.

Follow this diet for seven days and you will lose weight. Three of our colleagues tested the diet and lost an average of 7lbs per week. We used it as a cutting diet to reduce body fat and promote muscle growth. Basically we just took 90% of the carbohydrates out of our diet and ate very lean. 7:30 am - Weight Training or a form Aerobic Exercise for 1 hour. (We targeted specific regions of the body daily to preserve and promote muscle growth. (One group a day -Arms, Chest, Shoulders, Legs, Back, Stomach). 9:30 am -Breakfast- 1 bowl of oatmeal. Use Splenda to sweeten if necessary.

10:30 - 11:00 am- 1 Whey Protein Shake (16oz)* - This can be found at your local vitamin / nutrition store. 1 serving of white rice ( about 1/2 cup) and 1 serving of vegetables or Salad. Stay away from sauces. Season with powdered seasonings.

4:00pm - Whey Protein Shake*

7:00pm Eat the same as lunch but without the rice.

8:00pm- Whey protein shake*

Small amounts of fruit and milk are fine to mix in as well.

Diet Supplements Are Effective

There are four types of diet supplements that have been identified, which can assist in fat burning and weight loss. The four diet supplements are:

The salient point of L-Cartinine is that it can take your fat to the mitochondria cells, which are fat burning mechanisms in our body. As a result of this diet supplement, you will not only lose weight due to fat burning but also get more energy. L-Cartinine is available in 500mg bottles that include 50 capsules and will cost your around $43.

2. Hot-Rox Extreme: Hot-Rox Extreme is a perfect weight loss diet supplement that has A7-E, which is the most effective fat burning supplement. It works 24/7 and has the

Why A Natural Detox Diet Is Crucial To Your Health and Body Detox System

2009-04-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

Diet Detox

How important is to maintain a healthy detox diet these days, in light of what the government tells us that it is doing to make our world a safer and healthier place to live?

Let’s say you have cleared your diet of as many foods as possible that contain artificial additives, and are actively detoxing your body, yet as you sit reading this story there are toxins all around you.

Playing with chemistry

Twentieth-century chemists were extremely proud of themselves when they invented brand-new chemical compounds that could dissolve even the toughest dried-in grease in our ovens, make our laundry whiter-than-white, penetrate and plump out ageing skin cells, kill all known germs, and keep us odor-free all day long.

Synthetic materials, like rayon and nylon, were all the rage; carpets were treated to make them virtually indestructible, and timber was sealed so that it would never rot.

Alternatively, you could buy brand-new particleboard products made of wood fiber and held together with synthetic resin. Dry-cleaning solvents containing perchloroethylene (perc, for short) are excellent at removing stains without damaging the fabric, but they have now been linked to cancer, liver and nervous system damage, infertility and hormone disruption.

So as you can see, with all these toxins in our environment, our body’s natural detox system has a lot of work to do to keep them at bay.

What is ‘natural’?

The truth is that it is virtually meaningless when used on a product label. Can you trust the term ‘organic’? Organic standards boards only grant organic status to those products that pass stringent testing procedures. To be on the safe side, look out for organic kitemarks and certification if a product claims to be organic.

Detox Diet

Executif Summary About Diet Detox Sharon G.Price

With a detox diet, it is possible to improve health, energy, digestion, mental state, your resistance to disease and even experience weight loss.

The modifications that you have to make in detox diet includes fasting with juice fasting and water fasting, increasing the consumption of fish like salmon, restriction in calorie intake and using a herbal detox or master cleanse called the lemonade diet.

The main reason people go on a detox diet is because a human body ingests lots of water, food and air in a day. However before you go on a detox diet, it is better that you consult with your doctor to see if the detox diet is appropriate for you. Nursing women, children and pregnant women should never go on a detox diet.

Prolonged use of a detox diet can lead to a deficiency of nutrients, especially proteins and calcium as some detox diets omit animal products. Other side effects of the detox diet include acne, weight loss, hunger, irritability and tiredness.

You never know if these symptoms had arisen because of the detox diet or because of some other underlying cause as the symptoms of some diseases like cancer similar to the side effects of a detox diet.

3 Day Diet Plan - Lose The Most Pounds In 3 Days

2009-04-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

3 Day Diet

3 day diet plans are a popular thing,since this is a very short time in which to lose weight. Add to this the fact that many 3 day diets promise a massive weight loss, it’s no wonder people who are desperate to lose weight fast flock to them.

But 3 day diets can be traitorous and may even cause you to gain more weight in the future. 3 day diet plans are divided into 2 main groups: massively low calorie diets and 3 day detox diets. Both of these type of diets lead to a fast weight loss because they are very low in calories.

The first group of detox diets usually consist of having you eat 3 meals each day which are high in protein (often containing tuna) and are low in carbs. Often, these diets claim that they can help you to maintain a high metabolism. However, these diets are just low-calorie diets in disguise.

The other form of 3 days diets, the 3 days detox diet, is an entirely different matter. Although these diets are also low on calories, they are mostly made up of fruit. These diets help to cleanse your body of toxins and accumulated undigested waste and so provide more benefit than just weight loss.

3 Day Diet Vs the Day Off Diet

Executif Summary About 3 Day Diet by Johnny Moon

The 3 Day Diet (also known as “The Cleveland Clinic Diet”) is a starvation diet which may cause some short term weight loss but it’s weight you will gain right back at the end of the three days. While 3 Day Diet should completely avoided, The Day Off Diet is not only the best choice for long term weight loss, it’s also the best choice for short term fast weight loss.

If you are impatient to get started losing weight, then you are in luck because The Day Off Diet is available instantly on your computer upon purchase.

Why The Day Off Diet Works

1. It Turns Off The Fat Storing Gene

The “green light” food list that The Day Off Diet includes will have you eating foods that actually turn off the “fat storing gene.”

2. It’s Weekly “Day Off” Boosts Your Metabolism

This day is great not only for the obvious psyschological reasons of keeping you motivated to diet and satisfying your cravings but also because the calorie spike every 7th day keeps your metabolism running high so that you lose weight much faster than with other diets.

3. It’s Easy To Follow

Unlike with other diets there is no counting. No calorie counting, no carb counting, and no fat counting! This is a diet you can live with.

Muscle Building Diet Plan - The Ideal Post-Workout Meal for Your Muscle Building Diet Plan

2009-04-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

Muscle Buliding Diet

Your muscle building efforts will not be complete without proper nutrition to feed your body. However, most aspiring muscle gainers do not have a proper muscle building diet plan to accomplish their objectives. When you feed your body with a proper meal after your workout, you will greatly enhance your muscle gains and improve your recovery period.

So what is the ideal post-workout meal to include in your muscle building diet plan?

The first meal of your post-workout meal should be consumed in liquid form. Your post-workout shake that forms part of your muscle building diet plan should ideally consists of whey protein, simple sugar like dextrose, creatine and glutamine.

This simple post-workout meal will go a long way to help your muscle grow faster and improve your recovery period.

This meal should be duly noted in your overall muscle building diet plan and should be high in protein and high glycemic carbohydrates.

To get a more detailed breakdown of your post-workout meal that can form your overall muscle building diet plan, kindly visit the link provided below.

Muscle Building Diet - Elevate Your Muscle Growth

Executif Summary About Muscle Building Diet by Hanif Furqan

Most weight-trainees are concerned about the “newest” and “most effective” training method, but why isn’t anyone focusing on the raw building block of muscle growth - nutrition?

Now, muscle building nutrition can be a complicated subject, but it doesn’t have to be. If you don’t follow these guidelines, you’ll either get fat or gain very little muscle.

To minimize body fat and maximize muscle growth, the three things you must focus on are:

1) Eating the proper ratios of protein-carbs-fats

2) Tracking the quality of food you’re eating

3) Feeding your body at the critical times

If your muscle building diet is going to help you pack on lean bodyweight, then you have to consume lean protein. Your muscles need amino acids to grow, and most of the protein sources you eat contain a healthy balance of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle fiber, and you must have these in your diet at regular intervals during the day.

Fats help to create muscle building hormones and regulate essential processes in the body. Good fats include poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated types, while bad fats are basically saturated and trans-fats. Without adequate carbohydrates in your diet, you’re going to have a tough time building muscle. Nutritional timing, or the times at which you eat, is very important in your muscle building diet.

Diabetes Diet - Enjoy The Benefits

2009-04-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

Diabetes Diets

Diabetic diet plan is very important for a person with diabetes. Diabetes diet is very helpful in maintaining glucose levels in the body.

Diabetes is a common disease.

A) Here are some guidelines on the primary elements you require to include in a diabetes diet:

a) Proteins

Proteins are important to supply amino acids. Amino acids are really important for the process of tissue repair and also to maintain the levels of glucose during the process of absorption. These contain less amount of calories as compared to the fats.

b) Carbohydrates

These are very important to prevent ketosis.

c) Fats

One must focus on foods rich in saturated fats. Cholesterol should be completely avoided.

d) Fiber

It is important to reduce the glucose absorption rate. Fiber works towards facilitating urinary glucose excretion, stomach emptyfying process, reduction of blood sugar rise and delay in the intestinal passage time.

B) Remember that your diabetes diet should be completely devoid of the following food elements:

a) Potatoes, Sweet potatoes

b) Sugar, Glucose, Jams

c) Jaggery, Honey, Sweets

d) Fried foods

e) Mango, Banana, Chickoo, Custard apple

f) A lot of oil or fat

Try to include a lot of fresh leafy green vegetables and salads in your food.

C) Following a diabetic diet has a lot of benefits. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy via following a diabetic diet religiously:

a) Benefit 1

It keeps a stable blood glucose level.

b) Benefit 2

It reduces the amount of insulin required in the body. Carbohydrates and lean meals will help you in this process.

c) Benefit 3

Better feeling of well being is another primary benefit of following a diabetic diet. Most people who do not strict to this diet tend to over eat and eat the wrong kind of food. This raises their blood sugar level and result in fatigue and general feeling of being unwell. A diabetic diet helps you feel unhealthy.

d) Benefit 4

Following a strict diabetic diet will not allow you to overeat and eating food that can make you gain weight. This results in keeping your body weight under control. This also reduces the risk of developing other health problems such as stroke and heart disease.

Following a diabetic diet has a lot of benefits than just controlling your blood sugar levels. Experts suggest that you should focus on a lot of exercises and have an active life in order to get benefited in the right way.

Diabetic Diet - A Guide to Plan a Diet to Control Diabetes

According to medical experts, a diabetic diet plays the major role in order to control the blood sugar levels in the body. A common diet plan usually prescribed to patient with diabetes is an exchange meal plan.

Glucose is a type of sugar that carbohydrate releases. Carbohydrate foods are prescribed according to value per portion, referred to as exchange. This diabetic diet plan is helpful in deciding that type of food to be taken, time to eat and the amount of food that should be eaten.

1) Here are certain crucial factors to be considered when planning a diabetes diet:

a) You should take at least 40 grams of fiber each day.

b) Don’t eat the traditional three heavy meals.

c) Divide your meal in to small food servings.

d) Have a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

e) Don’t consume bakery products.

f) Go for whole cooked cereals.

g) Avoid eating anything two hours before bed time.

The major goals of a diabetes diet is to balance your blood glucose levels, maintain healthy lipid levels, maintain a healthy weight and avoiding certain complications such as diseases related to kidney, feet, heart and the eyes.

2) Avoid the following food items when planning a diabetes diet:

a) Starchy foods such as white bread, pasta and potatoes

b) Sugars such as table sugar, honey, fruits and sweets

c) Artificially sweetened juices

d) Fried and processed food

e) Reduce salt intake.

3) The essential ingredients of a diabetic diet include the following:

What Types Of Diet Are Best Cholesterol Lowering Diets

2009-04-05T23:40:00.000-07:00

Cholesterol Diet

Our liver is primarily responsible for developing cholesterol in our body system. Diet plays a significant role in the management of cholesterol in our body system. The level of cholesterol in our body increases if we eat excessive amount of saturated fat in our diet. Let us discuss few guidelines for cholesterol lowering diets:

Diet low in saturated fat

Saturated fat actually increases the cholesterol level in our blood. Diet low in total fat

It is because the food high in total fat has a high level of saturated fat. If you like to include unsaturated fat in your diet, you may depend on having olive oil or canola oil in your cholesterol lowering diet, whereas, for polyunsaturated diet, safflower oil, sunflower oil or corn flower oil can be a good choice for you.

Diet low in cholesterol

Dietary cholesterol increases the level of cholesterol in your blood. Generally, animal products are high in dietary cholesterol, so refrain from it in your cholesterol lowering diet as much as possible even if you have a family history of high cholesterol level.

Diet high in starch and fiber

It offers a low calorie diet compared to high fat food. Following a low fat diet always increases the possibility to have a healthy system. Overweight definitely increases the risk high blood cholesterol level. To fight with obesity, you must maintain a healthy cholesterol lowering diet along with regular exercise

Low Cholesterol Diet - Which Foods Will Help You to Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Levels?

Executif Summary About Cholesterol Diet by Steven R Arnold

By a low cholesterol diet, it is meant that the diet will help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels. LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the “bad” kind of cholesterol. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol because it acts to sweep away the LDL type and prevent arterial blockages. Your total cholesterol number is the combination of your LDL cholesterol number and your HDL cholesterol number.

It is your liver that produces cholesterol naturally. Your liver produces about 1 gram of cholesterol each day. Your cholesterol lowering diet should be based as follows:

Low cholesterol foods

* Vegetables;
* Fruits;
* Whole-grain foods;
* Legumes;
* Whole foods that lack labels;
* Almost all foods that are low in saturated and Trans fats;

High cholesterol foods:

* Fatty red meats;
* Animal organs;
* Duck;
* Goose;
* Egg yolks;
* Poultry;
* Shellfish;
* Butter;
* Cheese;
* Almost all foods that are high in saturated and Trans fats;

Your diet to lower cholesterol is actually just a sensible approach to eating. Clean plant foods do not have any cholesterol to build up on your arterial walls.

A low cholesterol diet combined with daily exercise is your best defense to cholesterol-based health issues.

Symptoms of Cancer

2009-04-05T23:39:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a disease that can affect ant part of the body ranging from the glands, blood, bone, muscles, organs, and skin. The symptoms of cancer depend upon its origin and size of the tumor and its spread.

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body then there may be a variety of symptoms. Generally all cancers have some common symptoms and specific symptoms related to the affected area of the body. Some symptoms may not be a sign of cancer but in any case they need medical attention.
Fever is a common symptom of cancer as it shows that the body is fighting an infection. Persistent fever shows an advanced stage of cancer specially leukemia. Weakness and fatigue are also an indication of cancer due to weight loss and blood loss in some forms of cancers. Skin cancers produce symptoms like darkening and yellowing of skins.

While the localized and the particular cancer symptoms may differ as to the region they have affected.

• Change in excretory system : constipation , piles , change in stool formation, passing of blood in stool or urine, pain during urination can all be symptoms of colon cancer , prostrate cancer and bladder cancer.

• Passing of blood: any unusual amount of blood that is passed while coughing, with urine, stool or major vaginal bleeding are not normal. They are signs of lung cancer, rectal, kidney, uterine cancers, and stomach cancer.

• Chronic Ulcers: Oral ulcers and sores that have not healed on the penis and inside the vagina may be cancerous.

• Formation of lumps: Any formation of lumps in the body whether in the skin, breast, testicals, glandular lumps that have grown in size show an early signs of cancer. Warts that have grown in size.

Even a minor symptom of any disease should not be ignored.

Herbs And Vitamins That Can Possibly Relieve Symptoms Of Cancer

Summary About Main Symptoms Of Cancer By Eugene Williams

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2002 alone, approximately 1.3 million Americans received a new diagnosis of cancer, and over 500,000 people died of the disease. If your doctor gives his approval, here are a few herbs and nutritional supplements that may relieve symptoms of cancer because it contains ,

Curcumin-may help fight breast, colon and prostate cancer. Research has found that in the lab, curcumin can enhance cancer-fighting treatment because it contains TRAIL, a naturally occurring molecule that helps kill cancer cells. TRAIL stands for tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand.

Reishi mushroom-water soluble extracts from Reishi inhibit colon tumors in mice. Reishi may be helpful in advanced-stage cancers and has also shown activity against prostate cancer.
,Green Tea-The polyphenolic compounds in green tea is protective against various forms of cancer. Calcium-has been associated with a lower risk of colon cancer.

IP-6-Inositol hexaphosphate (IP-6), is a naturally polyphosphorylated carbohydrate found in beans, brown rice, corn, sesame seeds, wheat bran, and other high fiber foods. On a website located in the resource box a link is set up to increase your knowledge on cancer topics such as bone and liver cancer.

The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters.

Best Vitamin Supplements - 3 Criteria A Best Vitamin Supplement Should Meet

2009-04-05T23:37:00.000-07:00

Best vitamin supplements must meet high standards in three critical areas. The best vitamin supplements should excel in these ways:

1. When creating a complex best vitamin supplement formula, the professional qualifications of the design staff is a crucial part of the process.

2. The Quality of the Ingredients - there can be enormous differences in quality and potency as well as differences in costs of the individual ingredients.

3. The Procedures Used in Their Manufacture - the vitamin manufacturers producing large volumes may use a ribbon type blender and mix ingredients for only about 20 minutes. Are vitamin and mineral supplements really needed? Also, even the best vitamin supplements cannot substitute for a poor diet.

Vitamin supplements should be considered supplements, not replacements for food. The best vitamin supplements cannot be the one-a-day type. Why? One-a-day vitamins are probably a waste of money. The best vitamin supplements for men should contain ingredients specifically for supporting healthy male prostate. Including ingredients proven in clinical studies for the prevention of BPH or enlarged prostate is an important part of the best vitamin supplements for men.

What To Look For In The Best Multi Vitamin

Executif Summary About Best Vitamin by Dan Ho

Best Multi Vitamin

What is the Best Multi Vitamin

Just facts. Here are some crucial factors you must know and consider: what are the highest quality ingredients a multi vitamin can use; what are the most stringest manufacturing methods for producing the best multi vitamin; what other nutrients need to be present in order for a multi vitamin supplement to really work.

Also, what may be the best womens multi vitamins will differ from what is the best multi vitamin for men, simply because men and women have different biological needs.

The Best Multi Vitamin Should….

The fact of the matter is that most multi vitamins claiming to be the best use cheap ingredients and fillers.

Studies have shown that natural ingredients have far higher potency than their synthetic counterparts. Almost all store bought multi vitamin products claiming to be the best use cheap, synthetic ingredients.

By only buying supplements produced in pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, that’s how. Now, let’s talk about other nutrients. The fact of the matter is that the best multi vitamin product on the market absolutely cannot just have vitamins in it.

Why?

Because many vitamins and nutrients work synergistically. For example, the mineral calcium needs vitamin D to be absorbed; and vitamin E needs the mineral zinc.

Moreover, many enzymes and herbs can greatly enhance the efficacy of vitamins

Chekch out my other guide on health supplements and organic supplements

The Wonderful Healing Powers of Vitamin C

2009-04-05T23:34:00.000-07:00

Vitamin Power

Vitamin C for optimum body functions

When it comes to keeping the body’s metabolic processes running smoothly for optimum health vitamin C has a hand in a vast number of vital functions. Vitamin C as an immune system builder

The white blood cells are involved in immune defence: They kill off the unwanted foreign matter that invades the body. Vitamin C as an antioxidant

Damage to the body’s organs, tissues and cells happen by means of reactive molecules called free radicals. These free radicals can cause damage by oxidation. Vitamin C in the maintenance of collagen

Collagen can be found in connective tissue. Skin, bone, teeth intervertebral disks, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and heart valves…are some of the connective tissues that contain collagen. Studies have shown that collagen deficiency has been linked to a lack of vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C has an involvement in the making of collagen in the body.

Disk herniation

Intervertebral disks exist in between the backbones. Due to excessive wear and tear and a lack of vitamin C, the outer surrounding of the intervertebral disk becomes less tough and worn, forming pinholes. Vitamin C and common colds prevention

The trick to preventing the common cold is to mega-dose with high amounts of vitamin C the moment when you feel that ickle-tickle in your throat and then carry on with further high doses, allowing for bowel tolerance…

Chewable Vitamins an easy way to provide nutrition to kids.

2009-04-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

Chewable Vitamin C

Chewable Vitamin and Chewable Supplement Manufacturers have a niche place in providing nutritional supplements for children’s growing nutritional needs. Chewable Vitamins and Supplements for Children

There are a variety of multi-vitamins that can be produced for children’s specific health needs. Chewable vitamins and chewable supplements can help to fill the nutritional gap children face in today’s world. Chewable Immune Support Supplements.

These supplements may contain zinc, vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C along with other herbs such as Echinacea, eyebright, astragalus, golden root, elderberry, etc combined with natural fruit extracts that support immune health.

Chewable Multi-Vitamins and Minerals
A good formula for children’s chewable multi-vitamins tablets will be low in sugar content, low in calories, provide amino acids and antioxidant power along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Chewable Vitamins and Supplements for the Elderly
Not only are chewable tablets a treat for children, the elderly enjoy these, too. Chewable vitamins and chewable supplements can make this daily task much easier for senior people.

Chewable vitamins are an immediate hit with children. Parents, who have had trouble getting their kids to drink liquid vitamins or swallow tablets, find chewable vitamins to be the perfect solution.

Chewable Vitamin and Chewable Supplement Manufacturers that can formulate a good product, mix an assortment of flavors, colors and shapes in one multi-vitamin bottle have easily got the potential for a winning product! Chewable Vitamin and Chewable Supplement Manufacturers can help to transform the pill regimen into a pleasant daily experience.

Medical Health Insurance - Do Not Leave Home Without It

2009-04-05T23:31:00.000-07:00

At one point when I was eighteen, I was offered a health insurance plan. I was in

the prime of health; what could possibly happen to me to require that I have

health insurance? There was no way I could afford to pay a

hospital bill if I broke a leg.

Even if you never got sick, there are always accidents waiting to happen. If you were

in a car accident or broke a leg, you would be very happy that you had health

insurance.

Doctor and hospital bills are astronomical, and very few people can

afford to pay them out of pocket. Even if you do have to pay a deductible, it

will not compare to the total bill if you go into the hospital after an

accident.

If you have medical insurance, you do not have to worry about these things. The

medical insurance company takes care of all of the doctor and hospital expenses.

You will be very happy you had medical insurance if you are ever in an accident.

You cannot count on never having an accident or never getting sick. We need to have health insurance during the good times to make sure it

is there during the bad times when we need it.

Major Medical Health Insurance For Families

Executif Summary About Medical Health Insurance By Kevin Stith

Health Insurance is an important security measure advisable to all individuals for ensuring a financial support during any medical calamity in the family. Insurance buyers need to know the policy they are applying for, thoroughly and then decide to accept the insurance terms of the company.

The insurer pays a monthly payment known as the premium, towards his health insurance policy. In the United States, health insurance is available in various types such as the private health insurance, publicly funded health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and short term medical.

Private health insurance is purchased at a constant premium rate, without any guarantee that the premium will not increase if the policy is renewable. Publicly funded health insurance is a socialized health care facility wherein the citizens pay for each other’s insurance policies with tax payment deductions. While applying for a major health insurance policy the insurer needs to furnish details of any earlier health hazards, medical history, any major medical expense incurred and the name of the diseases are few of them.

5 Quickest Ways to Lower Your Health Insurance Premium

2009-04-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

It is an old saying — “Health is Wealth.” The most important step to maintain this wealth is to get a health insurance policy for you as well as your family. But, sometimes the premiums of such policies can leave you in and out of the budget situation. Can you really do something to bring down your premium? Read on to learn about the 5 quickest ways to lower your health insurance premium.

1. Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Living a healthy life has many benefits. Your healthy lifestyle can easily help you in bringing down the health insurance premium. Exercise regularly, eat healthy diet, avoid smoking and heavy drinking — and your visits to the doctor will surely be minimized. The healthier you are, the lesser you are represented as a risk for the insurance company.

2. Shop for the best available price

One of the best options to keep your premium lowest is to go out and shop around for the health care policy. This will ensure that you find the best available policy that fits in your budget. Do a thorough research before investing in any policy. You can get information from your friends and relatives or even Internet.

3. Take up plans with higher deductibles

Insurance plans with higher deductibles tend to have lower premiums. Typically, deductible is the amount you are expected to pay toward hospital, doctor, and other medical bills. Taking up a plan with a higher deductible may not be a universally applicable idea. If you’re generally healthy and do not fall ill very frequently, then you can take up this plan. This way you can keep your premium at a lower rate and avail basic health care facilities as well. But, if you have a history of some major consistent illness, avoid taking this plan.

4. Take up a policy early in your life

The premium varies to a great extent with the age of the person. Try and get a policy as early in your life as you can. For example, if you buy a policy at the age of 25, then you’ll have to pay lesser premium but, if you go for the same policy at the age of 50 you’ll end up paying a raised premium amount.

5. Get in touch with independent insurance agents

You can take help from independent insurance agents. These agents represent several insurance agencies and can guide you to pick the right kind of health insurance policy and then plan your premiums at an affordable rate. Since independent agents will compete to get the business – so you’ll get serious offers quickly.

The Leading Causes Of Lung Cancer

2009-03-11T21:07:00.002-07:00

Lung cancer is a serious health problem, it is essentially the growth of abnormal cells in the lungs.

This growth of unhealthy cells can start anywhere in the lungs.

Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Of those people who contract lung cancer, less than half of them survive one year. The quicker you notice symptom and have it diagnosed, the quicker treatment can begin and the odds improve.

The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking. More than eighty five percent of people who have lung cancer have gotten it from smoking.

If a person smokes a pack a day, they have twenty times the risk of getting lung cancer or some other serious health problem than a person who doesn’t smoke at all.

There are so many carcinogens in tobacco smoke that they constantly damage the healthy cells of the lungs, and the risk goes up for smokers depending on how long they have smoked and how much they have smoked.

There are other causes of lung cancer for healthy people who don’t smoke

These causes include asbestos, which used to be used in building materials. It enters a healthy person’s lungs by inhaling, and then attaches to the respiratory lining.

People who get lung cancer from asbestos exposure usually get it from work or from living in an older home.

Some doctors also think that women who are exposed to tobacco smoke, are more likely to have lung cancer than men exposed to smoke. Researchers have found a gene called GRPR which causes unusual cell growth in people exposed to cigarette smoke. This gene is more active in women than in men and may explain why females are more prone to lung cancer.

Some research has indicated a diet low in fruit and vegetables may increase the chances of developing cancer if exposed to tobacco smoke. Some evidence shows fruit and vegetables may protect against lung cancer.

The final cause of lung cancer in healthy people is radon exposure.

Radon is a gas which is naturally released from soil and rocks. In closed spaces like caves, basements and other areas, it can become concentrated and cause lung cancer or other health problems. It is always a good idea to have a home checked for radon levels because there are things that can be done to lower them to more acceptable levels.

The good news?

When smokers quit smoking, their risk for getting lung cancer goes down immediately and continues to decrease every year that they don’t smoke.

It is also an interesting fact that 25% of nonsmokers that get lung cancer live with smokers, so the secondhand smoke is most likely the cause of their lung cancer health issues.

Sources:
Http://www.webmd.com

Get More Information Related to Smoking and Lung Cancer.

Can Diet and Exercise Help Prevent Cancer?

2009-03-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

While everyone is well aware that proper diet and exercise are paramount to good health, still many people find it too much of an inconvenience to watch what they eat and to exercise. These people may feel that the benefits that they may get from all that effort is not worth the hassles of watching calories, cutting fat, running about, and moving weights around. But what if there was a benefit, and I mean a real good benefit, associated with proper diet and exercise? Maybe that would at least make those who don?t worry about diet and exercise give a little more thought to it.

Well, as if the already known benefits of proper diet and exercise aren?t enough to make some people want to incorporate them into their lives, perhaps the following information from Purdue University and Science Daily will be enough incentive to get them off their duff?s and give it a try.

According to Dennis Savaiano, dean of Purdue?s school of consumer and family sciences and professor of foods and nutrition, poor diet and lack of exercise are responsible for just as many cases of cancer as cigarette smoking.
He says, ?approximately one third of cancer cases are related to smoking, one third are related to poor diet and lack of exercise, and one third are related to genetic or other factors?.

Most people are already well aware of the ill health effects of cigarette smoking, but the percentage of obesity and the rate of poor diet in America is a cause for serious concern. It is estimated that 65% of Americans are overweight with 30% being at least clinically obese. This is further escalated by the fact that 15 to 20% of the children in America are considered overweight. The main reason for this alarming statistic overall is the rate of poor diet seen in America.

Savaiano, who is chairman of the Food and Nutrition Science Alliance, along with several other members of the organization, recently reviewed scientific studies on diet and cancer. The group has since issued a statement urging Americans to change their diets in order to help reduce the number of cancer related deaths.

While Savaiano notes that some types of cancer are influenced more by diet than others, nutrition and food scientists agree that these four methods are practical ways to lower the risk of cancer:

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Avoid highly processed foods that are high in fat and sugar.

Limit or avoid consumption of alcohol.

Get in some moderate or vigorous exercise daily.

Much of the reason why people have trouble getting into a healthy lifestyle can be attributed to lack of knowledge on how to start with exercise programs and proper diet plans, and to marketing which is mostly geared toward foods that are high in fat and excess calories and low in nutritional value. Not much marketing is done to promote fruits and vegetables or whole grains.

Long hours at work also attribute to less meal preparation and more fast food and takeout food purchases. It will take some effort on your part, but making healthier food choices and exercise a part of your life can and most likely will give you rewards that no amount of money can buy.

Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

Sodium Laureth Sulphate - Cancer Causing Chemical or Great Foaming Agent?

2009-03-11T21:06:00.001-07:00

Sodium Laureth Sulphate or SLS for short. Pick up any shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste or bubble bath from your local supermarket and study the ingredients. One of the major ingredients listed will be SLS. This is a common ingredient used for its foaming properties.

A lot of scare stories have been broadcast lately concerning the dangers of SLS. The general public would be forgiven for thinking that because it is on sale in our shops then it must be safe for the average consumer.

My interest in chemicals stems from an article I read blaming chemicals in products we use on our skin for the increase in Cancer related illnesses and it got me thinking. I remember reading on a bottle of fabric conditioner that it contained Formaldehyde (dictionary description is a colourless pungent irritating gas CH2O) and thinking ?why on earth would this be in a bottle of pleasant smelling fabric conditioner?? and do I really want that on my children?s clothes? After that I became almost fanatical about reading the ingredients of some of my most trusted home and body products. I came to the conclusion that the products that we place on our skin and are absorbed into our blood stream are safe in small amounts; otherwise the Government would not allow them to be sold. But what is a small amount? What if you are a 2 shower-a-day person, or what if you are not of an average build? A small amount to any average adult could be a huge amount to a small child.

I am neither a chemist nor a cancer sufferer, however I do believe that many of the illnesses we suffer as a race are of our own doing. If you take your typical day and try to add up all the chemicals you use on your body you will no doubt be alarmed. For example: showering - using shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, brushing your teeth, cleansing, toning and moisturising, applying make-up, using deodorants, using hair products like hair gel or hairspray. And that is just your morning routine. Now look at the clothes you put on. They are not made with chemicals but they are certainly washed in a few and then worn next to your skin. The amount of times you might wash your hands during the day using a bar of soap or a liquid soap, the cleaning products you use around your home. If all those products contain just a tiny amount of SLS, then by the end of a day your body should have absorbed a fair amount. Now expand this over your lifetime.

The manufacturers material safety data sheet on Sodium Lauryl Sulphate indicates the following:
Common name: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, DX2495
Causes mild irritation on contact with skin, eyes or mucous membranes.
Skin contact could cause irritation or allergic reaction. Moderately toxic by ingestion.
Tests on lab animals indicate material may cause mutagenic effects.
Protect Eye: YES
Protect Skin: YES
Prolonged skin contact my cause dermatitis and skin sensitisation. May cause eye burns.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate initially began its life as an industrial degreasant and garage floor cleaner, able to clean oil off of garage floors. When applied to human skin it does the same thing, it strips off the oil layer and then irritates and erodes the skin in an attempt to clean it. That is why most body products contain glycerin to help re-oil the skin.

“Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has a low molecular weight and so is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, liver and brain and can cause major problems in these areas.” (Judi Vance, Beauty To Die For, Promotion Publishing, 1998)

Tests on children recently have shown they have chemicals in their bodies that were banned from before they were born. This generally means that they absorbed those chemicals from their parents during conception or pregnancy.

?Tests show foetuses subjected to these substances do not develop functioning eyes, and they are implicated in the formation of cataracts in adults.? Peter Dunn.

There may be some truth in the view that this fear concerning SLS is a scare tactic put about by companies selling products free from SLS. But to help you make up your mind, would you go to a car store and buy a degreasant and feel completely comfortable rubbing this into your skin? And what about the skin of your baby?

The fact is that SLS has been implicated in the huge rise in Cancer related illnesses (1 in 8000 in the 80?s and 1 in 3 in the 90?s) and the increase in asthma in children. I am sure it is not the only chemical that is doing us harm, however it is the public that has the power to change things. The companies making the products make millions each year; it would not cost them much in comparison to find an alternative to SLS. They are unlikely to do this unless they face pressure from the buying public. Make a stand when doing your weekly shop, it may cost you more in the long run but what price do you put on your health and the health of your family?

Lisa Mills is a freelance writer. This article has been written for http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk which is a site providing a baby gift box service.

Can Stress Cause Cancer?

2009-03-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Patients as well as scientists are interested whether there is any correlation between stress and cancer. Much research has been done to answer this question. So far scientists are skeptical towards the widespread view that cancer disease may be the result of a highly traumatic experience. It was Friday afternoon when Christina Koenig got to know that she had cancer. She was 39 then. On Monday she reckoned that she knew why she had fallen ill. ?I talked to doctors and asked them How long have I had it?. They said: five to ten years. I had a flash of insight. Around that time I was divorcing my husband. It was extremely stressful?. Christina had divorced four years before cancer was diagnosed in her. Is it a coincidence?

Four years later Ms Koenig is still thinking about it, as well as many other women suffering from the same disease. Currently, she has been working for Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization which helps those who suffer from breast cancer. Every year 40 thousand women call the organization and ask whether it was stress that caused cancer by weakening their immune system. ?It is already a common belief?, says Koenig. And it does not only concern women having breast cancer. (?)

Patients as well as scientists are interested whether there is any correlation between nervous tension and cancer. Much research has been conducted to find out whether people suffering from tumors had been under any particular stress in the years preceeding the diagnosis, and whether it favours cancer disease. It has also been examined whether stress can attenuate immune system activity preventing the formation of cancer cells. Above all, attempts were made to determine whether the immune system protects from tumors at all.

The research on correlation between stress, immune system and cancer led to a surprising discovery, which changes the direction of the previous searches. It appears that cancer cells generate proteins which signal to the immune system to leave them alone and, what is more, to help them develop. However, whether stress can cause the disease remains unknown..(?) ?There are many extreme stress situations, says doctor Barrie Cassileth from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, for example imprisonment in a concentration camp or loss of a child. We examined people who had been exposed to such tension and we did not notice a higher cancer prevalence ratio in this group?. In Denmark 11380 parents of children suffering from cancer who are living in due huge stress were examined. However, a higher percentage of people suffering from tumors than in the whole population was not found in this group either.

Similar research was conducted on a group of 21062 parents who lost their child and 19856 parents of children suffering from schizophrenia. Neither is it clear whether decreasing the level of stress may give hope to those already ill. ?People need explanations - says dr. Cassileth. - For many the diagnosis is a huge shock. They cannot understand why this has happened to them and they look for any answer?. Dr. Barrie Cassileth adds that everybody can remind themselves of stress experienced in the past. ?I tell my patients that it definitely was not themselves that caused the disease?, dr. Cassileth underlines.

Dr Drew Pardolla, the director of a program on cancer research at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found the answer to the question how a tumor is created the most important. Immune system?s white blood cells should attack and destroy cancer cells. Why it is not soothe case? Is the immune system too weak or perhaps there is another reason?

It was claimed in the past that cancer cells were forming non-stop but the immune system destroyed them. And everything which weakens it, for instance stress, may impede fighting the intruder. ?Nowadays no one holds that opinion anymore?, says dr. Pardoll. Experiments on mice devoid of immune system did not confirm saliently higher cancer morbidity. Also among people with immune disorders under the influence of drugs preventing transplant rejection or as a result of AIDS a higher cancer prevalence ratio was not found. (?)

What is happening with the immune system of those suffering from cancer then? Each tissue includes white blood cells and cancer cells are not an exception to that rule. However, the proteins occurring on the surface of cancer cells differ substantiallyfrom normal cells? proteins. The immune system is able to recognize that it has to do with an intruder but for some reasons does not do so. As has been established by dr Pardoll and other scientists, proteins on the cancer cells surface halt the attack of the immune system. At the same time the tumor emits molecules which make the immune system help cancer spread in the organism. ?We know very little about this immune reaction?, says Pardoll.

However, a new conception of tumor treatment results from this discovery, namely proteins of cancer cells which block the immune system need to be neutralized, or there is a need to stimulate the system to be more aggressive. The possibility of applying the first method is just being investigated, the other has been tested for some time. In case of mice even the types of tumors the most difficult to fight were eradicated by means of antibody injections or vaccination. Research to apply this method in humans continues.

Radoslaw Pilarski is a PhD candidate working on anticancer properties of Uncaria tomentosa - http://www.uncariatomentosa.com - at PAS, Poland. mLingua Worldwide Translations, Ltd. - http://mlingua.pl - provides professional language translations.

Cancer of the Urinary Bladder

2009-03-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Etiology

Above all, occupational exposure to chemical compounds (among others from the group of aromatic amines) is considered to be the factor leading to falling ill with cancer of the urinary bladder. Smoking tobacco is also mentioned (cancerogenic substances found in tobacco smoke such as nitrosamines, as well as tryptophane metabolites excreted in the urine). An additional risk factor, which may contribute to the development of more aggressive forms of cancer of the urinary bladder is a long exposure to foreign bodies and infections (mainly Schistosoma haematobium, it concerns African and Small Asia countries, as well as medicines ? cyclofosphamide) and small pelvis irradiation due to another tumors in that area.

Genetic disturbances observed in the case of cancers of the urinary bladder are mainly the mutations within suppressor gene p53, oncogene erbB-2, p21, c-myc.

Symptoms

One of the most frequent symptoms of cancer of the urinary bladder, which forces the patient to visit a doctor is haematuria, sometimes with clots. With the advance of the tumor process disuric symptoms may take place, namely pain, bladder tenesmus, burning sensation during miction, sometimes temporary retention of urine. Pain in the lumbar area as well as features of urinary tracts infection may appear during a stasis of urine in the upper urinary tracts. The pain in pelvis and around groin as well as swelling of the lower extremities usually accompany further symptoms of the disease. The first ?signaling? symptoms are the pains caused by metastatic changes in bones.

Diagnosis

Even one haematuria or earlier mentioned pain symptoms are an absolute indication for a patient to be examined in order to exclude the possibility of cancer of the bladder. Ultrasonography should be the first examination in the diagnosis of cancer of the urinary bladder, when the tumor change may be depicted, provided that it is big enough, the bladder is full and the place on the wall accessible during examination.

In contrast examination unevenness of bladder contour, filling defects and rigidity of infiltrated wall may be observed depending on the value and the degree of infiltration.

When a suspicious change is detected in bladder, the character of the change should be explained as soon as possible by the means of histopathologic examination. Having done bimanual examination (in order to find any out of bladder changes) cystoscopy is done. During the examination, segments are taken for histopathologic examination.

The urine cytology examination seems proper, nonetheless the negative result does not exclude the presence of a tumor process.

Apart from the above-mentioned examination, morphology, general urine examination, urography (the evaluation of urethers and kidneys) as well as small pelvis computer tomography (the evaluation of local infiltration and the invading stage of lymph nodes) are done. In the case of pain disorders, radiological examination and bone system scinigraphy seem advisable. Similarly to other tumors, chest RTG, gynecological examination in women and an evaluation of prostate?s state in men are recommended. From the prognosis perspective, determining the degree of histological tumor malignancy (basic prognostic factor apart from the state of primeval tumor determined according to TNM classification) seems vital. The following degrees of differentiation are distinguished: well-differentiated cancer (G1) ? about 45% of detected cancers, moderately differentiated (G2), poorly differentiated (G3) and undifferentiated cancer (G4). The diagnostic value of BTA and NMP-22 markers is being checked and their determination does not constitute a norm as far as diagnostic methods are concerned.

Histological Classification

Epithelial tumors:

- transitional cell papilloma - transitional cell papilloma infiltrating the bladder wall - planoepithelial papilloma - transitional cell carcinoma - kinds of transitional cell carcinoma: ” with planoepithelial transformation ” with adenous transformation ” with planoepithelial and adenous transformation - basal cell carcinoma - adenocarcinoma - anaplastic tumor

Non-epithelial tumors:

- adenoma - fibroma - myxoma - myoma - angioma - lipoma - pheochromocytoma - sarcoma

Classification

In order to estimate the level of progression the TNM classification or modified system by Jewett and Marshall are applied.

TNM Classification

Pathological classification pT, pN corresponds to T, N clinical classification.

T - primary tumor

Tx - Primary tumour cannot be assessed T0 - No evidence of primary tumour Tis - Carcinoma in situ, preinvasive tumor with focusal anaplasy (G1, G2, G3) within epithelium Ta - Noninvasive papillary carcinoma T1 - Tumor invades subepithelial connective tissue T2 - Tumor invades muscle T3 ? Tumor deeply infiltrates a part of muscular coat not exceeding it (T3a) Tumor infiltrates the muscular coat (T3b) Tumor invades perivesical tissue T3a - extracapsular extensions (unilateral) T3b - extracapsular extensions (bilateral) T3c ? Seminal vesicles infiltration T4 ? Tumor invades other organs T4a - Tumor invades the prostate, uterus, vagina T4b - Tumor invades the pelvic wall, abdominal wall

N ? regional lymph nodes

Nx - Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed N0 - No regional lymph node metastasis N1- Regional lymph node metastasis N2 - Metastasis in a single lymph node, >2 cm but ≤5 cm in greatest dimension; or multiple lymph nodes, ≤5 cm in greatest dimension N3 - Metastasis in a lymph node, >5 cm in greatest dimension

M ? distant metastases

MX - Distant metastases cannot be assessed M0 - No distant metastases M1- Distant metastases M1a ? lymph nodes other than regional M1b ? bone(s) M1c ? other organs

In Whitmor-Catalon?s classification A, B, C, D degrees correspond to T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively in TNM classification.

Classification by Jewett and Marshall

Stage 0: No tumor found in the specimen superficial tumour not invading the submucosa carcinoma in situ Stage A: superficial tumour invading the submucosa Stage B: muscle invasive tumour Stage B1: superficial invasion (less than halfway) Stage B2: deep invasion (more than halfway) Stage C: invasion into the perivesical fat Stage D: Extra vesical disease, further specified in Stage D1: invasion of contiguous organ or regional lymph nodes metastases Stage D2: Extra metastases to distant organs

Treatment

The choice of treatment for patients suffering from urinary bladder cancer depends on the degree of progression according to TNM classification, the level of tumor?s histological malignancy and the general state of the patient.

Surgical treatment

Transurethral resection of tumor (TURT)

This method is used in the case of surface changes (Ta, T1, T2, as well as the multiple ones and when treating preinvasive tumor Tis, if the number of focuses is low and the atypy insignificant). TURT may be done also in the case of T3a tumors if the diameter of the base does not exceed 2 cm. In the case of advanced stages (T3, T4 ) it is sometimes used as paliative treatment.

Partial resection of urinary bladder

It is applied when a 3 cm microscope margin of healthy tissue is possible in big, individual focuses of T2 tumor and in the early period of T3.

Complete resection of urinary bladder (cystectomy)

A two-stage surgery which consists in cutting out a bladder together with lymph nodes and recreating the possibility to drain the urine from the upper urinary tracts.

The operation concerns patients suffering from:

- poorly differentiated cancer (G3) - early recurrence after treatment using other methods - tumors invading the neck of urinary bladder, prostate urethra, bladder triangle when urine flow from kidneys is impeded - extended and multifocal pre-invasive tumors - bleeding from the bladder impossible to control

Cystectomy is also done among patients who underwent unsuccessful partial resection and after recurrences after radiotherapy.

Three ways of urine flow are applicable. One of them, known as the Bricker?s is about creating ileal conduit for the urine to flow to a bag stuck to the skin. The second option is the creation of an intestinal cistern, which when full is emptied by the patient by self catheterization through a skin fistula. The most comfortable way is the creation of a surrogate urinary bladder linked to the urethra (a patient urinates moving his/her stomach muscles).

Radiotherapy

It is applied among patients who do not give their consent to the treatment or when a radical cystectomy is often impossible in their cases. Radiotherapy among patients in T2 to T4 progression stage creates a possibility of attaining a 5-year survival without disease recurrence among 35 to 45% of patients and a 5-year complete survival among 23-40%.

A 45 Gy dose is given for the pelvis and then a boost for bladder tumor is done up to 65 Gy dose. The introduction of conformal radiotherapy which consists in 3-dimensional planning system (3D CRT) into clinical practice in the recent years enables more effective application of radiotherapy in the radical treatment of urinary bladder cancer. Chemotherapy

In the case of urinary bladder cancer it is applied mainly as palliative treatment or together with surgical methods or radiotherapy.

Inductive chemotherapy aims at reducing the size of tumor most often before the radiation.

Most often applied treatment schemes are:

M-VAC

Metotreksat 30 mg/m2 im Doksorubicine 30 mg/m2 iv Cisplatine 70mg/m2 iv Vinblastine 3mg/m2 iv The pause between the cycles 28 days

M-VC

Metotreksat 30 mg/m2 im Cisplatine 70mg/m2 iv Vinblastine 3mg/m2 iv The pause between the cycles 28 days

CISCA

Cyklofosfamide 650 mg/m2 iv Doksorubicine 50 mg/m2 iv Cisplatine 100mg/m2 iv The pause between the cycles 21 - 28 days

Paclitaxel (monotherapy)

Paclitaxel 250 mg/m2 iv 1 day, the cycles repeated every 21 days

Direct bladder treatment

Such a method is recommended in the cases of:

- tumors of T1 degree (multiple) - multifocal changes of Ta type - lesions of Tis character

Most often used drugs are: thipotepa, BCG vaccine, mitomycine, doksorubicine.

BCG therapy of the surface tumor has been more effective so far than direct bladder chemotherapy, as it decreases the risk of regional recurrence and, what is more, decreases probability of undergoing the disease process at invasive cancer stage.

Prognosis

In the case of urinary bladder cancer the prognosis depends on the level of progression as well as the choice of optimal treatment and the internal state of patients. A percentage of 5-year cure most often oscillates around 50-70% as for the I and the II degree, and 20-30% as for the III degree. Longer survival periods are rarely reported in the IV degree.

Green Tea And The Latest In Skin Care And Promising Cancer Treatments

2009-03-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

With all the latest research and developments into skin care it has recently been found that Green tea actually has more to offer than originally thought. In research conducted in Thailand by Dr. Ptong of the Skin Education Foundation it was evidenced that Green tea when taken orally or applied externally had a marked effect on the skin in relation to cancer and carcinogens.

Ptong elucidated that it was the green teas antioxidants, commonly referred to as green tea polyphenols (GTP), that caused this new functionality. The polyphenols of green tea showed the ability to actually prohibit and retard the growth of various skin cancers. From basal cell carcinoms (the mildest and most common form of skin cancer) to malignant melanoma and its variants (the deadliest and fastest spreading form) all were shown to be effected by the green tea polyphenols.

In animal studies where the skin was treated with various carcinogens and chemicals or radiation with mutagenic properties it was found that skin treated prior with a rub or salve of the polyphenols had a much lower rate of mutations afterwards. This resulted in a much lower chance of growths and cancer developing. In one study it was shown that the the resultant damage that normally occurs from excessive UV radiation did not happen to skin pre treated with a GTP salve. It is important to note that they have now found identical results with human research.

?Every area we tested the polyphenols we made significant discoveries and every time it was very positive. The polyphenols extracted from green tea are extremely active against all types of cancer in this study,? Stated Dr. Ptong.

It was also found that, along with external application, oral use of the green tea and polyphenols reduced the risk of developing skin cancer more than in half in over 1000 patients. In another test, patients with malignant melanoma were given green tea to drink and after one month it was found that the growth rate of the cancer slowed tremendously. It was found that hot, green tea contained the highest concentration of the beneficial polyphenols. From these studies one can easily surmise that green tea shows great possibilities in skin care and in treating and reducing the risk of cancer and other similar maladies.

David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He provides research, various skin peels and anti aging treatments for doctors offices and medispas. For more great information and research on anti aging skin treatments please visit: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Yoga: One Woman’s Silver Lining to Cancer

2009-03-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

In 1996 Kerrie Hamner was shocked to learn that a harmless-looking mole on her left thigh was actually melanoma. After surgery to remove a large area around the melanoma, the doctor assured Kerrie that she was now cancer-free. But two years later, when she was just 25 years old, Kerrie learned that the cancer was back and had probably spread throughout her entire body. For the next three months, Kerrie underwent intensive bio-chemotherapy treatment that ultimately wiped out the cancer, but also left her physically debilitated.

But sometimes adversity brings with it the most incredible revelations. During the treatment Kerrie watched her body deteriorate, but inside her heart, mind and soul were growing and opening in leaps and bounds. Kerrie was being prepared to make what would be a life-changing discovery for her ? yoga.

After her treatment ended, Kerrie took a yoga class and began practicing yoga at home. Still incredibly weak, Kerrie was only able to practice yoga for five minutes a day. But she stuck with it and gradually got stronger. Soon Kerrie was strong enough to take an Ashtanga class at Yoga Yoga in Austin, Texas, where she especially relished the after-class inspirational readings about the eternal nature of our souls. Kerrie continued her rapid progress and became an instructor at Yoga Yoga.

Kerrie credits yoga with bringing numerous benefits into her life, such as awareness and control of the breath, which helped her to control her state of mind and stay in the present moment. Yoga brought out Kerrie?s innate strength and self-discipline, both mentally and physically, and helped to make her whole again. Yoga has been a tremendous healing light in Kerrie?s life, one that she would never have found had it not been for the cancer.

Kerrie recently passed an important milestone ? cancer-free for five years! She willingly shares her experiences with other cancer patients, offering healing words of hope and encouraging them to stay positive. Kerrie?s inspiring story reminds us that devastating circumstances can actually be the catalyst for profound and positive changes in our lives.

Read the full story of how Kerrie beat cancer and discovered yoga in Illumination ? Inspiring Stories about Finding the Silver Lining by Karen Wheeler Hall, available from http://www.KarenWheelerHall.com/, on-line bookstores, and through major bookstores nationwide. Download your copy of Karen’s FREE eBook Positively Incredible! by visiting http://www.KarenWheelerHall.com/.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or website, provided you include the resource box and the active link to my website. Please notify me when it is used.

Sweet Low Carb Foods - How Do They Do That?

2009-03-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

If you’re a low carb diet enthusiast, you’ve probably tried some of those tasty low carbohydrate bars, candies or maybe even broke down and baked a loaf of that really easy to make and great tasting low carb banana bread.

And after getting your head around the concept of ‘net carbs’, you may still be wondering what are those sweeteners listed on the labels, such as mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol and others, and how they fit into your Atkins, Protein Power, South Beach or other diets.

Known as sugar alcohols, these and other low carb sweeteners are being seen more and more in diet products. And usually you can find several types in your low carb food. Although they are all effectively no to low calorie sweeteners (0.5 to 3.0 calories per gram) they are generally much sweeter than sugar, which allows even the higher calorie per gram products to be classified as low carb and low calorie sweeteners.

The reason you’ll see a number of them in your low carb chocolates for instance, is simple. The food tastes better. Food technologists have found that different combinations of low carb sweeteners can have a better flavor in certain foods than when using one type alone. For instance, if you’re making muffins, you want a sweetener that can stand up to the heat of an oven. But if it won’t give you the texture or ‘mouth feel’ you’d expect, then it won’t be popular, no matter how low the carbohydrate count. If you were making a chilled low carb dessert or a low carbohydrate ice cream, you’d want it to be sweet when cold. So the bottom line is taste.

Given recent attention to protein based fat replacements, which have great potential for use in all but fried foods, its easy to imagine that some new and tasty low fat, low carb, higher protein and low calorie treats will be coming soon. And that has brought out some strange concerns, such as the idea that if we’re not protected from ourselves by banning these foods, we might starve by consuming too few calories from these low and no calorie dessert and snack foods.

But after looking at some of the shoppers I saw during a recent trip to my grocery store, all I could think was, where’s my
low carb cheesecake recipe?

Mike Boyd is an author and contributing writer for the popular http://www.healthy low carb.com, an online information source for low carb diets, free low carb recipes, diet basics,books, product reviews and informative up to date low carb dieting research
low carb cheesecake recipe

Carb Crazed

2009-03-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Low Carb diets have become as popular as apple pie (although apple pie wouldn?t be allowed!). Everywhere you go the message is ?low carb, decrease your carbs, or no carbs?. Unfortunately this message oversimplifies many of the healthy eating habits that nutrition experts have been teaching. The truth is, there are no quick fixes or easy answers when it comes to healthy eating, and one size never fits all.

The idea that carbohydrates are bad or unhealthy is a misunderstood message that has taken over our thoughts on good nutrition. Low carbohydrate promoters push the theory that carbohydrates are to blame for the nation?s obesity problems. The truth is overeating and general lack of exercise are mostly to blame for the obesity epidemic. Think about it this way, if the theory was true that carbohydrates cause weight gain then every person including famous athletes who eat carbs regularly would be obese. It just doesn?t add up.

The Truth About Carbs:

Proponents of low carb diets claim that when carbs raise blood sugar and insulin levels, the process can make our bodies store fat more readily. This is true, but did you know that all carbs are not created equal?

There are different kinds of carbohydrates: simple and complex as well as low glycemic and high glycemic. This is where most people fail to understand better carbohydrate choices. There are no bad food choices just those foods that should be eaten daily and those that should be eaten once in awhile.

Fruits and Vegetables:

While it is true that fruits and vegetables are made up primarily of carbohydrates, the majority of them have a low glycemic index (glycemic Index is a measure of how quickly a food increases the blood sugar). This is because fruits and vegetables contain fiber which naturally keeps blood sugars level. Fruits and vegetables are also the most important food groups in our fight against chronic diseases. They are loaded in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals which act like our own personal arsenal against chronic diseases. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research has compiled over 4000 studies and has concluded that eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day can decrease our cancer risk by 20%. Eliminating fruits and vegetables from your diet can lead to potentially serious health problems such as heart disease and cancer.

Whole Grains- The Important Difference:

Both whole grains and refined grains (sugar, white bread, pasta, etc) are high in carbohydrate but whole grains, found in foods like oats, barley, brown rice and whole wheat breads and cereals, contain all parts of the plant kernel thus keeping their important fiber content intact. Refined grains are stripped of these nutritious components during the milling process. Yes, it is true that eating large amounts of refined carbohydrates on a daily basis can drive sugar levels up quickly. However, the fiber in whole grains slows the rise in blood sugar and therefore the insulin response.

In fact, eating small amounts of whole, complex carbohydrates throughout the day can keep blood sugars at a more even level preventing insulin rises and weight gain. Research shows that people whose diets are high in whole grains and fiber decrease their risk of diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease.

Portion Control:

The flip side of the coin is that most people consume extremely large portion sizes of carbohydrates, eating more refined carbohydrates than the healthy complex carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain. The answer, however, is not to give up all carbohydrates. It is not all or nothing as we learned from the low fat craze. We need to learn how to balance our diets to provide enough energy and nutrients that we get from all of our food groups throughout the day. By removing all carbohydrates from your diet you are setting yourself up for potential health problems not to mention bad breath (side effect of ketosis), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and low energy levels.

Very low carbohydrate diets would not be of concern to health professionals and nutrition experts if they weren?t so significantly low in important nutrients and so high in saturated fats. Recent studies have found that low carbohydrate diets are deficient in as many as 19 vitamins and minerals and as many as 11 micronutrients. According to Dr. Bruce Ames, a professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkley; vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as these can lead to DNA damage that can cause you to age prematurely and could lead to cancer and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s. There is further evidence that these diets can lead to other diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. It is important to remember that these diets were developed for weight loss and not healthy eating guidelines.

Bottom Line:

Choose small amounts (? cup to 1 cup) of whole grains with each meal. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day and you will be able to manage your weight and your health at the same time! People who have achieved lifelong weight loss have done so by making lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet and increasing their daily activity, not by following fad diets.

Most importantly, don?t depend on fad diets to give you nutrition advice. They generally look at a small piece of the puzzle instead of looking at the whole picture. There is no need to increase your health risk to lose weight. Choose to eat a balanced diet and increase your activity so you can lose weight and maintain optimal health at the same time.

? Meri Raffetto, 2004

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has developed online weight management programs to help people get off of diets and get into way of life. For more information or to sign up for her free newsletter, visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com

A Better Body - 5 Easy Steps That Anyone Can Take

2009-03-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

If only there were a ‘better body boot camp’, we’d be there every February - before spring started to show itself and those lovely winter jackets had to come off.

Although this isn’t a better body boot camp, we can offer you 5 practical steps to a better body.

Following these steps at your own pace will help you lose weight, get healthier and be ready for spring when those jackets come off!

Step#1: Drink Up!

You’ve heard it before: we should all be drinking at least 8-10 cups a day. But are you doing it?

Are you spacing your water out through the day?

Water will keep you filled up, energized and running efficiently. Lack of water can slow the metabolism and make you confuse thirst for hunger. If there’s one step that’s easy to make on the road to weight loss, it’s to drink more water.

Step #2: Move, Move, Move

We all know we should probably log more minutes on the treadmill or elliptical machine. But what about building more exercise into your daily life?

What about taking the stairs at work or at the mall? Or taking five minutes to dance to your favorite song? Every little bit helps with weight loss so get out there and move!

Step #3: Eat Dessert

We love dessert. In fact, dessert is usually our favorite part of the meal. It’s logical and natural to want something sweet to balance off that extra cheese lasagna or that chicken and broccoli casserole.

But what about having a bowl of sweet red strawberries instead of those brownies? What about sliced apples with cinnamon instead of chocolate chip cookies?

Look for ways to build in fruit for dessert instead of sugary snacks and you’ll save a load of calories without feeling deprived of that sweet taste.

Step #4: Cut Down Where You Can

Ok, so you don’t want to deny yourself the cheesecake or your favorite burger. You have to eat that birthday cake or sample your Aunt Mathilda’s famous chicken pot pie.

But do you really need to finish it?

Start cutting back on portion sizes now, not denying yourself, but doing what you can - and you’ll find it makes a big difference calorie-wise in the long run.

Step #5: Challenge Yourself

There are some days where the universe is with you. You can go without that chocolate bar, you can drinks lots of water and you actually want that salad for lunch.

Recognize these days for what they are - a chance to leap ahead in your weight loss goals and make up for the times you feel you’ve blown it.

Run with it for as long as you can. Challenge yourself to make the healthiest choices possible and soon you’ll be feeling so good about these choices, you’ll want to make more.

So there they are: 5 Steps Towards a Better Body. While you may not lose ten pounds in one week following these steps (on the other hand, you might…), they’ll definitely get you started on the road to weight loss, without feeling deprived or hungry.

Kathryn O’Neill is a contributing writer to Diet and Weight Loss Reviews.

For the latest weight loss tips and diet reviews, visit http://www.freetobethin.com.

Slowing Down Can Help You Lose Weight Faster

2009-03-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

Running For Weight Loss??.Slow Down

You may be out running your fat burning hormones

So you?ve loved running since your track days of high school. It?s simple, you can do it anywhere and all you need is some good running shoes and pair of comfy cotton footies. But now it?s taken on a sub-purpose. Age has allowed those extra pounds you use to leave choking on your dust to catch up with you and hit you right in the gut, literally. There are a billion reasons (or excuses) that justify your 10 or even 20 pounds that keep you company.

You are busier now, so you don?t run as often, or as fast, or as long as you use to. You?re getting older and your body can?t take the as much. Or maybe it was the curse of the evil eye of all those non-runners over the years. (you know they were really jealous they can?t run and sweat and look as good doing it

Whatever your justification, the bottom line is it?s time to lace up the old running shoes a little more often. For the last few weeks you?ve hit the ground running. Enjoying the days of old. Marveling at your new found dedication to your workout schedule. But as you get on the scale once again the numbers barely budge. The problem may be your love for running. The pure exhilaration for the sport. If you consider your self a runner then your gut instinct will tell you to run faster. Try to shave another 2 minutes off your course time.

This time however DO NOT follow your gut feeling or you will be left with your gut to feel. As runner you are use to trying to run faster, cut your course time, beat your personal best or at least don?t get any slower than you already have. But if you want to drop those pounds you have to slow down and work at a lower intensity. Using a heart rate monitor is the best way to determine if you are exercising at the proper intensity to reach your weight loss goal. Heart rate monitors due exactly as the name implies. They monitor the rate in which your heart is beating. (By the way, Heart Rate monitors are an invaluable tool for any serious or even semi-serious runner, no matter what your goal is. )

Knowing your personal heart rate percentage numbers can mean the difference in reaching your goal and trying to reach your goal. For weight loss you want to work at 60% to 70% of your heart rate max (HRM). Your hear rate max is the maximum amount of times your heart can beat in a minutes. To determine that number use the standard formula of subtracting your age from 220. Then take that number and multiply it by .60 and you have 60% of your heart rate max. Follow the same steps except replace .60 with .70 and you will come us with 70% of your heart rate max. Stay between these two numbers on your heart rate monitor and you are on the straight and narrow path to weight loss. (For example someone who is 30 years old. 220-30=190 190 x .60= 114 190 x .70 = 133. A 30 year old must stay between 114 and 133 HRM for a weight loss workout)

Over these percentages of your HRM your body tells your fat burning hormones (epinephrine, nor epinephrine and growth hormones) to shut down so it can use their energy, along with all other available energy, to your respiratory system to maintain your pace.

Working above 70% of your heart rate max over an extended period of time, like your whole 45 minute run, may allow you to burn more calories but less of those calories will be from fat. In the end you don?t just want to burn calories, you want to burn fat calories for lasting weight loss. When your body can?t use your fat stores to burn the next place it turns is to lean muscle stores, which is the last thing you want. Lean muscle is what keeps your metabolism up and running allowing you to keep off the extra pounds. For efficient and effective weight loss we want our calories to come from our fat stores not our lean muscle store. Working over 70% HRM may be beneficial speed training but it?s just not an efficient way to loose weight. Despite popular opinion of ?more is better? and ?faster is the best?, slowing down is a faster route to loosing weight. Don?t misquote me you will burn calories no matter how fast or slow you run but for weight loss you want to burn as many calories from fat as you can.

Lastly and probably most importantly when trying to loose weight weather it?s 5 pounds or 50 pounds. Now isn’t the time to multi-task. Pick one goal and stick to it. Don?t practice for a 5K to loose weight. You?d do yourself and your recorded time a favor if you loose the weight first then start a race prep running schedule. ( To be detailed in the next article) At 60% to 70% of your HRM you may not be running at your fastest pace or pushing your personal best time. In fact you may even have to slow down to a speed walking pace. And that?s okay because you will arrive at your weight loss goal a lot faster if you slowed down.

Mubarakah Ibrahim is an AFAA certified personal trainer and owner of BALANCE fitness, a personal training service for women in CT that offers in-home personal training, on-line personal training, outdoor boot camps, and hiking clubs for women. She also lectures, promotes and conducts workshops on health and fitness through out the northeast. She can be contacted by visiting her website http://www.balanceCT.com or e-mailed at balanceCT@hotmail.com

? BALANCE fitness.

Article may be reprinted without permission only in it?s entirety including author bio and contact information.

Weight Loss: Secrets To Losing Weight Without Much Efforts

2009-03-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

Are you overweight?

Most people are afraid to admit they are.

It may not be a crime to be overweight, but it can be harmful to your health and life, if you fail to take action to reduce your weight.

Nobody wants to be overweight and ugly.

If you?re overweight, are you interested in learning about the positive approach to taking action to deal with it?

Here are some weight loss insights to help you lose weight effortlessly.

It has been reported that one out of every seven Americans may be overweight.

So, being overweight is a problem facing millions of Americans today.

If you are overweight, you can begin today to do something about it.

Once you have made up your mind to lose weight, you should make that commitment and go into it with a positive attitude.

We all know that losing weight can be quite a challenge. In fact, for some, it can be downright tough.

It takes time, practice and support to change lifetime habits.

This is why having the right attitude is of paramount importance.

One well known actress, Kirstie Alley who became overweight has just created a TV show labeled Fat Actress show!

Instead of being at home and feeling sorry for herself for becoming overweight, she decide to create a show about it!

It is an example of having a positive attitude towards a problem and turning a misfortune into a good fortune that will yield millions of dollars.

The discipline required to modify and control your eating habits and to lose weight is a process you must learn in order to succeed.

You and you alone are the one who has the power to lose unwanted pounds.

Think like a winner, and not a loser - - remember that emotions are like muscles and the ones you use most grow the strongest.

If you always look at the negative side of things, you’ll become a downbeat, pessimistic person. You?ll fail.

Even slightly negative thoughts have a greater impact on you and last longer than powerful positive thoughts.

Negative thinking doesn’t do you any good, it just holds you back from accomplishing the things you want to do.

When a negative thought creeps into your mind, replace it reminding yourself that you’re somebody, you have self-worth and you possess unique strengths and talents.

Contemplate what lies ahead of you. Losing weight is not just about diets. It’s about a whole new you and the possibility of creating a new life for yourself.

Investigate the weight loss programs that appeal to you and that you feel will teach you the behavioral skills you need to stick with throughout the weight-loss process.

First you should look for support among family and friends. It can be an enormous help to discuss obstacles and share skills and tactics with others on the same path.

You might look for this support from others you know who are in weight loss programs and you can seek guidance from someone you know who has lost weight and kept it off.

There are success stories across the country today. On television and in newspapers, magazines and tabloids about people who have miraculously lost untold pounds and kept it off.

In all instances they say their mental attitude as well as their outlook on life has totally changed.

Diets and weight loss programs are more flexible now than they once were and there are many prepared foods already portioned out.

They are made attractive and can be prepared in a matter of minutes.

Low-fat and low-calorie foods are on shelves everywhere.

You will probably need to learn new, wiser eating skills. You will want a weight loss regimen that gives you some control, rather than imposing one rigid system.

Look for one that offers a variety of different eating plans, so you can choose the one that’s best for you.

Keep in mind, too, that your weight loss program will most likely include some physical exercises.

Look at the exercising aspect of your program as fun and recreation and not as a form of grueling and sweaty work.

The fact is that physical fitness is linked inseparable to all personal effectiveness in every field.

Anyone willing to take the few simple steps that lie between them and fitness will shortly begin to feel better, and the improvement will reflect itself in every facet of their existence.

Doctors now say that walking is one of the best exercises. It helps the total circulation of blood throughout the body, and thus has a direct effect on your overall feeling of health.

There are things such as aerobics, jogging, swimming and many other exercises which will benefit a weight loss program.

Discuss the options with your doctor and take his advice in planning your exercise and weight loss program.

Warmly,

I-key Benney, CEO

Visit Maychic’s website at: http://www.maychic.com

And also Maychic’s Amazon.com Store at:
http://www.maychic.com/amazonstore

Download free “TMT Power Secrets” Book-1 at:
http://www.tmtworldwide.org

Secrets of Gastric Bypass Surgery: Lose Weight Without Surgery

2009-03-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

There?s more to gastric bypass than surgery and rapid massive weight loss. Patients who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS) sign-up for a lifetime of rigid behaviors to guarantee their long-term success.

Just imagine: If you knew what those behaviors were, could you lose the weight and keep it off without surgery? Take a look at the four rules WLS patients live by:

Rule 1: Protein First:
The first rule for living after Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is Protein First ? that means eating protein for three daily meals, and protein must be 50 percent of food intake. Animal products are the most nutrient rich source of protein and include fish, poultry and meat. Dairy protein, including eggs, is another excellent source of protein. Nuts and legumes are also good sources of protein, but sometimes difficult for the bariatric patient to consume.

Science is proving that a protein rich diet will prompt weight loss and increase energy. The body contains over fifty-thousand different active proteins all made out of the same building blocks: amino acids. Amino acids are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen as well as sulfur, phosphorus and iron. Many diseases ? including obesity ? indicate an amino acid deficiency.

Weight loss surgery patients don?t have a choice, they must eat lean protein or they will get sick, anemic, and weary. Weight loss will cease if they eat processed carbohydrates instead of lean protein. Dumping or vomiting may also result if patients do not eat lean protein for the first half of every meal.

The distinction must be made between high fat proteins and lean proteins. A gastric bypass patient cannot tolerate high fat proteins such as bacon, fatty beef or sausage products or greasy fried chicken: these foods cause nausea and vomiting. In addition, these high fat protein rich items are contributors to obesity and should be avoided by anyone wishing to control their weight.

Rule 2: Drink lots of water
Dieters are often told ? drink water. Drink a minimum of 64 ounces a day ? eight glasses a day. Gastric-bypass patients don?t have a choice: they must drink lots water. Other beverages including coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks and alcohol are forbidden. Water is the essential fluid for living. Water is one of the most important nutrients the body needs to stay healthy, vibrant and energetic. A tell-tell sign of a gastric bypass patient is the ever-present water bottle.

The human body is a magnificent vessel full of water. The brain is more than 75 percent water and 80 percent of blood is water. In fact, water plays a critical role in every system of the human body. Water regulates body temperature, removes wastes, carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells, cushions the joints, prevents constipation, flushes toxins from the kidneys and liver and dissolves vitamins, minerals and other nutrients for the body?s use.

Nutritionists say a precise measure of the body?s need for water is to divide body weight (pounds) in half and drink that many ounces every day. That number could well exceed 200 ounces a day for morbidly obese people actively engaged in weight loss.

The body will panic if actual water intake is significantly less than required. Blood cannot flow, waste processes are disrupted and the electrolytes become imbalanced. Proper hydration prevents inflammation, promotes osmosis and moistens lung surfaces for gas diffusion. It helps the body regulate temperature, irrigate the cells and organs and promotes all functions of elimination. Certainly by drinking plenty of water many people could resolve inflammation and elimination problems that result from insufficient water intake. Adequate water facilitates weight loss.

Rule 3: No Snacking
Gastric bypass patients are instructed to avoid snacking. No exceptions.

Snacking is the worst possible thing a WLS patient can do. If patients snack they cease to lose weight and could possibly regain weight. In addition gastric bypass snackers risk severe swings in blood sugar levels and glucose overdose, they fail to move forward to the healthy life that surgery makes possible. They feel like failures when the WLS does not result in weight loss.

The nature of gastric bypass surgery gives patients an edge on beating the snacking habit. When a patient eats three protein-rich meals a day the body?s fuel requirements are met and satiation results. Hunger does not occur if water is sipped throughout the day. If a patient is taking vitamins they will not be nutritionally wanting. Given that, patients who snack are doing so out of the very habit that contributed to obesity.
If a dieter must snack they must be mindful of their choices. Fruits, vegetables and lean proteins will contributed to wellness and weight loss. Processed carbohydrate convenience foods fail to meet nutritional needs or facilitate weight loss and should be avoided.

Successful WLS patients understand that snacking is bariatric purgatory. When they begin to snack weight loss will cease and weight gain will certainly result. Successful weight loss patients ? those who maintain their weight loss years after surgery ? do not snack. The same is true for all successful dieters regardless of the means by which they initially lost weight.

Rule 4: Exercise
The final rule, the one WLS despise the most, patients must exercise every day.

Nothing is more disappointing than hearing a gastric bypass patient brag that they didn?t have to exercise to lose weight. It?s true; patients will lose weight without lifting a finger. But patients who do not use the time of rapid weight loss to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle are doing themselves a grave disservice.

Obesity cripples the body. Bone tissues are compromised, joints are swollen, the vascular system is inadequate and the skeleton overburdened. As weight is lost, the burden on the bones, joints and vascular system is decreased. However, the body is a magnificent machine. Given proper nutrition and physical motion it will rebuild its broken framework. The systems can become strong and vital.

The most effective way to heal the body from the ravages of obesity is to exercise. Exercise means moving the body: walking, stretching, bending, inhaling and exhaling. Exercise is the most effective, most enjoyable, most beneficial gift one can bestow on themselves in the recovery from life threatening, crippling morbid obesity. People who successfully maintain their weight exercise daily.

Conclusion:
Successful weight loss surgery patients will tell you these are the four rules they live by, that the gastric bypass is only a tool to facilitate mindful behavior for better health. They will confirm that weight control, even with surgery, takes a lifetime of diligent attention to their bodies and behavior. They will assure you it isn?t easy, but the results are worth the effort.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author of many articles about life after gastric bypass. Ms. Bailey is the webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

Skin Resurfacing

2009-03-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

Aging, sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle factors including nutrition, alcohol consumption and smoking all may contribute to facial wrinkling.

Pigmentary changes of the skin, such as blotchiness or brown spots, may also occur with age or as a result of birth control pills, pregnancy or genetic factors. Prior acne may have made the surface of your skin uneven. These problems, as well as certain other skin conditions, may be improved by skin resurfacing.

Your Personal Consultation
During the consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out the specific areas of your face that you would like to see improved. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.

Am I a good candidate for skin resurfacing?
You may be a good candidate for skin resurfacing if you have one or more of the following conditions:

* wrinkled or sun-damaged facial skin
* vertical wrinkles around your mouth, such as those that cause lipstick "bleed"
* "crow's feet" lines around your eyes and perhaps some skin laxity in your lower eyelid area
* fine wrinkling of your upper eyelids
* brown spots or blotchy skin coloring
* certain precancerous skin growths
* acne or chicken pox scars
* superficial facial scars from a past injury

Patients may have their skin resurfaced at almost any age. You may have certain characteristics that make you a better candidate for one technique rather than another, or your surgeon may have a preference based on his or her personal experience with the different methods.

The amount of time you can allow for recovery also may be an important factor in selecting a particular resurfacing method or determining the extent of treatment. All resurfacing techniques can be performed to varying depths.

A more superficial treatment will require less healing time, but you may need to have the procedure repeated more than once to achieve the same results as a deeper treatment. If you are having aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery, you may be able to have a skin resurfacing procedure performed at the same time.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for skin resurfacing?
Your plastic surgeon will carefully examine your skin to determine which resurfacing technique, or combination of treatments, will provide you with the best results. Your skin type, the severity of any sun damage, the extent of uneven pigmentation and the depth of skin imperfections will be evaluated. Fine lines, coarse wrinkling or deep acne scarring each may require a different approach to treatment.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries, and medications that you currently take. Be sure to tell your plastic surgeon if you have ever had x-ray treatments of your facial skin such as those used in the treatment of acne or if you have had a prior chemical peeling procedure. Current or past use of AccutaneT, as well as Retin-AT and other topical skin preparations, must be reported to your surgeon. For your safety, it is important that you provide complete information.

Skin Resurfacing Techniques
Chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing all achieve results in basically the same way. Layers of your skin are removed and, as the healing process progresses, a new, healthier-looking skin emerges. What differentiates the various resurfacing methods is the way in which the skin's layers are removed. Chemical peels involve the application of a caustic solution, dermabrasion utilizes high-speed rotary wheel, and laser resurfacing uses a laser beam.

Will my insurance help cover the cost of skin resurfacing?
Skin resurfacing procedures usually are not covered by insurance. Occasionally, however, if the resurfacing is being performed to treat precancerous skin conditions or improve certain types of scars, insurance coverage may be available. Your plastic surgeon or a member of the staff will explain how you can find out from your insurance company if a particular procedure will be covered.

How is a chemical peel performed?
A chemical peel solution may be applied to your entire face or just to certain regions, such as the crow's feet area around your eyes or the vertical wrinkles around your mouth. Your plastic surgeon will apply the solution using a sponge, a cotton pad or sometimes, for smaller areas, a cotton swab or brush. Your surgeon decides how long to leave the solution on your face by carefully observing any changes in the appearance of your skin. With certain types of chemical peels, the solution may be "neutralized" after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed.

What are the different types of chemical peels?
The different types of chemical peels vary according to their specific ingredients and their strength. The depth of their peeling action may also be determined by factors such as how long they remain on the skin and whether they are applied lightly or rubbed more vigorously onto the skin.

Generally, the most superficial peels are those using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid. Sometimes just a single treatment with an AHA peel will give your skin a fresher, healthier appearance and a radiant glow. Repeated treatments can help to further improve the texture of your skin. AHA peels can reduce the effects of aging and sun damage including fine wrinkling and brown spots. Your surgeon will recommend a maintenance program using AHA products that you can apply at home on a regular basis.

An AHA peel is performed in your plastic surgeon's office No anesthesia or sedation is needed, and you will only feel a tingling or mild stinging sensation when the solution is applied to your face. Immediately after the procedure, you generally will be able to wear makeup, and you can drive yourself home or back to work.

A trichloracetic acid (TCA) peel is often used for the treatment of wrinkles, pigmentary changes and skin blemishes. Many patients can benefit from having TCA applied not only on the face but also on the neck and other parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. For spot peeling of limited areas such as around the mouth or eyes, TCA formulas are often preferred because they have less bleaching effect than solutions containing phenol, another popular peeling agent. For the same reason, some surgeons have found TCA to be effective in treating darker-skinned patients.

Milder TCA peels can be repeated frequently in order to achieve cumulative effects, or TCA can be used to achieve a medium or even a deep peel, depending on the acid concentration and manner of application.

A phenol peel is sometimes recommended for treating particularly rough and sun-damaged facial skin. Phenol is effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles ranging from fine lines to deeper creases. It can correct pigmentary problems including blotchiness or age-related brown spots and may be used in the treatment of precancerous skin conditions.

Phenol is particularly useful for minimizing the vertical lines that often form around the mouth as a result of aging. The disadvantage of phenol for spot peeling of limited areas is that it often has a significant bleaching effect. After your skin has been treated with phenol, you may need to wear makeup in order for the treated portions of your skin to more closely match the skin color of the surrounding areas. Unlike TCA peels, phenol cannot be used on your neck or other parts of your body. Certain variations in the phenol peel formula, creating a "buffered" or milder solution, may allow for greater flexibility in its use.

How is dermabrasion performed?
Dermabrasion uses a small, rapidly spinning wheel with a roughened surface similar to fine-grained sandpaper to abrade the skin, removing its upper layers. This resurfacing procedure sometimes is selected for the treatment of facial scars such as those caused by acne and often is performed on the cheeks or the entire face.

Dermabrasion, like the deeper chemical peels, is very effective in reducing the appearance of vertical wrinkles around the mouth that often cause lipstick "bleed". It can be used on a small area of skin and on patients with somewhat darker complexions. The treated area usually will blend with the surrounding skin so that there is little if any noticeable difference in the pigmentation.

How is laser resurfacing performed?
Skin resurfacing using a carbon dioxide (CO2)laser is the most recently developed of the techniques described in this brochure. Its effects are similar to those of chemical peels and dermabrasion, except that the laser removes skin layers by vaporization rather than with chemicals or a sanding device. Your plastic surgeon is trained in the safe use of laser equipment. He or she is able to specify the amount of energy transmitted to the skin's surface by the laser beam and control the depth of penetration.

Like the other resurfacing methods, the laser is effective in treating wrinkles, blotchiness or age spots, and scars from acne or other causes. It can be used on the entire face or specific areas. Certain other characteristics of your skin, such as its thickness and texture, may influence whether you are a good candidate for laser resurfacing. Some patients may benefit from the laser's mild "tightening" effect on the skin, particularly in the lower eyelid area where the skin often becomes somewhat loose as a result of aging.

There is a newer breed of nonablative devices that produce varying degrees of improvement with the potential for reduced recovery time.

Understanding Risks
Every year, many thousands of patients undergo successful skin resurfacing procedures, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering treatment, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

I understand that every medical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision? The subject of risks and potential complications of skin resurfacing is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Skin resurfacing procedures are generally safe when performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. The various resurfacing techniques discussed in this brochure have similar types of risks, although there are some differences. for example, infection or abnormal healing are infrequent but may occur with any of the treatments. If you are prone to skin disorders including allergic reactions or herpes, skin resurfacing can cause eruptions of these conditions. Even an AHA peel, which is the most superficial of the resurfacing techniques, may occasionally produce temporary minor skin irritation. Tiny whiteheads may develop on the skin following some procedures. These usually disappear with use of a mildly abrasive cleanser, but occasionally may require removal by your surgeon or a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some individuals have a tendency to form raised or thickened scars, and this may be unpredictable. Medications are available to treat such complications, but in rare cases some degree of scarring may be permanent. While the bleaching effect of a phenol peel is to be expected, other types of peels, dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing sometimes may produce unanticipated color changes or skin blotchiness.

Following all resurfacing treatments, it is important that you avoid direct or indirect exposure to the sun until all the redness or pinkness of your skin has subsided. Even after that, it is advisable for you to protect your skin by regular use of a sunblock and, whenever possible, a wide-brimmed hat. This is particularly important if you have had a phenol peel which eliminates your skin's ability to tan. If the area around your eyes has been treated, you should wear good quality sunglasses when outdoors. After some types of skin resurfacing treatments, you may need to be careful about exposing your skin to chlorinated water.

You can minimize certain risks and help to maintain the results of your skin resurfacing treatment by following the instructions of your plastic surgeon.

Your Resurfacing Treatment
How should I prepare for skin resurfacing?
Prior to a deeper chemical peel, laser resurfacing, or less often, dermabrasion, your plastic surgeon may place you on a pretreatment program during which you will apply special creams, lotions or gels to your skin for a few weeks or longer. You may also be given certain oral medications that you should begin taking prior to your treatment. Your surgeon will provide you with additional instructions.

Your skin resurfacing treatment may be performed in your plastic surgeon's office, a free-standing ambulatory facility or a hospital. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and probably assist you for a day or two.

What will happen immediately before and after the treatment?
Medications will be administered for your comfort prior to the treatment. Frequently, local anesthesia alone or combined with intravenous sedation is used for patients undergoing skin resurfacing procedures. Sometimes, general anesthesia may be desired.

When the treatment is completed, your resurfaced skin may be covered with petroleum jelly or other protective ointment. In some cases, dressings, tape or a bandage may be applied.

How will I look and feel initially?
Deeper chemical peels, dermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing will produce redness and swelling to varying degrees. Depending on the posttreatment regimen selected by your plastic surgeon, a scab may or may not form over the treated area. You will be advised about cleansing your skin, as well as if and when you should apply any ointments. In the case of men who have undergone resurfacing procedures, shaving must be delayed for a while. It is essential that you follow your plastic surgeon's instructions and avoid doing anything that might interrupt the healing process.

About seven to ten days after your skin resurfacing procedure, a new skin will have begun to form. After the initial redness subsides, your skin may be pink for several weeks to months. Camouflage makeup usually can be used within a couple of weeks, but your plastic surgeon will advise you.

Results of Skin Resurfacing
Because of the persistence of skin pinkness following many types of resurfacing procedures, it may take months before you can fully appreciate your new look. Most patients feel that the results are definitely worth waiting for and, in the case of deeper treatments, the benefits are relatively long-lasting. Superficial resurfacing procedures, such as light chemical peels, may need to be repeated periodically in order to maintain their benefits.

Your skin will, of course, continue to age. Also the type of wrinkles caused by movement of your facial muscles will eventually reappear. Some wrinkles may recur sooner than others, depending on their location as well as the type and extent of your resurfacing treatment. Despite this, you can expect that improvements in skin quality and texture achieved by resurfacing will make your complexion appear younger and fresher for many years to come.

When can I resume my normal activities?
Depending on the type and depth of your skin resurfacing, straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early period following your procedure. For deeper resurfacing, you should be able to return to work within a week or two, less for superficial peels such as glycolic acid.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Your surgeon will encourage you to schedule routine mammographic evaluations at the frequency recommended for your age group.

Microdermabrasion

2009-03-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Microdermabrasion is effective in reducing fine lines, "crow's feet," age spots and acne scars. It stimulates the production of skin cells and collagen. It has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics.

Technique:

The hand piece emits crystals onto the surface of the skin, resulting in a gentle abrasion or "polishing" process. Each treatment takes from 30 minutes to an hour. The number of treatments recommended for maximal results can range between 5 and 12, spaced from 2 to 3 weeks apart. Maintenance of results requires periodic repeat treatments after the initial regimen is completed. Microdermabrasion may be combined with a light chemical peel to increase the effect.

Benefits:

Virtually no side effects.
Gives the skin an overall fresh, healthy-looking glow.
Nonsurgical, safe, effective "lunch hour" procedure.
Effective on all skin colors and types.
No anesthetic required.
Excellent for skin sensitive to chemical procedures.
Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

Other Considerations:

Requires multiple sessions and maintenance treatments.
Patients with good skin tone will show best results.
An individualized skin care program may be recommended to maximize results.

Injectable Treatments

2009-03-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic surgical procedures can produce profound, long lasting changes in facial appearance, but are invasive and have an associated recovery period. Many patients who are just beginning to show signs of facial aging desire improvement, but cannot justify the cost or time investment required for surgical intervention. For these patients, the rapidly expanding repertoire of injectable treatments is perfect to suit their needs. Injectables can be utilized during an office visit, rather than requiring a trip to the operating room. With some treatments, no anesthetic is necessary, as the needles utilized are so small that discomfort is minimal. With others, topical anesthetic agents or nerve blocks may be utilized, depending on the patient’s preference and the sensitivity of the region being treated.

From the standpoint of using minimally invasive techniques to treat facial wrinkles, there are two general classes of injectables:

Neuromuscular Toxins
The first option, which is most appropriate for active lines or age associated wrinkles that are just starting to appear, is to temporarily weaken or paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. Botulinum Toxin type A is a family of neurotoxins that block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The toxin works directly where it is placed, and thus can be artistically used to alter facial expressions. Botox Cosmetic® is widely recognized, and was the first neurotoxin to be approved for cosmetic use in the United States. Other manufactures are producing variant toxins that will likely be approved for use in the near future, including Reloxin and PurTox. These toxins will be differentiated by their time to onset, duration of effect (the clinical effects of Botox Cosmetic® are typically 3 to 4 months), and the distance of effect from the injection site. Risks include bruising at the injection site, rare chance of an infection, and the possibility of unintentionally affecting nearby muscle groups. Specific risks should be discussed with your injector when considering treatment.

Soft Tissue Fillers
The second class of injectable treatments are the soft tissue fillers. This group is rapidly expanding, and many options are available. These injectables are more useful for treatment of firmly established wrinkles or larger lines of facial aging (such as the nasolabial folds). Fillers restore volume to the face and can add structure as well. Depending on the type of filler and the depth at which it is injected, you can smooth out fine lines on the surface of the skin, fill out deep lines (eg: nasolabial folds), augment soft tissues (such as the lips), or even effectively augment facial bone structure. All of these injectable fillers are placed by an injection, so the group carries usual risks of bruising, lumpiness, redness, product specific adverse reactions, and in rare cases local infections.

Many options are available in the filler class, with clinical differences being predominantly governed by how long the effects last, as well as how the filler “feels”. Generally speaking, very soft fillers (that are best for locations such as the lips) tend to have a shorter duration of effect, while fillers that last longer tend to have more structure and are better suited in regions where they will not be palpable (such as the nasolabial folds). In the past, the most widely used fillers were based on collagen, with sources ranging from bovine to human. For some collagen formulations, skin testing before injection is necessary to confirm that you will not have an allergic response to the filler. Collagen based fillers tend to last 3 to 6 months, and for some indications have a very natural feel.

A more recent class of fillers is based on hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a sugar found naturally in human skin. When first introduced, a major benefit of this filler class is that allergic reactions are extremely rare, and no pre-treatment skin testing is necessary. These compounds bind water similar to the way a sponge absorbs water. Because of this, they hydrate the skin in the treated region and act as a cushion. Several manufacturers are coming out with versions of HA fillers, and formulations vary with the size of molecules (governed by the amount of crosslinking) and other components of the injectate (such as local anesthetic to help decrease the discomfort associated with injections). The various formulations expand the repertoire of options available to your injector, as certain products are better suited for different anatomical regions. Formulations with smaller particle sizes tend to be softer and smoother, and work well in regions such as the lips. Larger particles have more structure, and are best suited for deep folds such as the nasolabial creases. Hyaluronic acids are eventually absorbed by your body, and the length of time is dependent on a multitude of factors including the patient, the location of injection, and the particular product used. Results last from 3 months in high mobility areas (such as the lips), and up to 1 year in regions such as the nasolabial folds, with most patients experiencing the desired effects for 6 months.

A newer class of fillers has been introduced that is based on microsphere technology. Microspheres are tiny round particles of solid material that are relatively uniform in size. Two formulations are FDA approved for use, differing in design and expected longevity of results. These products are used for volume replacement and for deep facial wrinkles (such as the nasolabial folds.) They are not approved for use in the lips.

Radiesse contains mirospheres are made of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in a gel carrier. The filler is broken down by the body in two phases, first the carrier and then the spheres. During this process, collagen ingrowth occurs, which is expected to provide a long lasting effect. This prolonged degradation process makes Radiesse a longer lasting filler than those previously discussed, with expected results lasting a year or more.

Artefill is a filler made of a mixture of collagen gel (similar to classical dermal fillers) and tiny microspheres of non-resorbable polymethylmethacrylate (a biocompatable compound that has been used for years in orthopedic surgery). The collagen component has resorption characteristics similar to other collagen based fillers, but the microspheres cannot be degraded by the body, and should provide permanent support to the regions treated. Since this type of filler is permanent, the margin for error in placement is less than for resorbable fillers, and it is important to seek treatment by an injector with experience using this class of product.

Recommendations:
Although there are many options available, there is no “one best product” for any particular use. Our recommendation is to consult with an ASAPS member physician to discuss your areas of concern, and to hear the options they suggest. If you are considering soft tissue fillers, it is a reasonable practice to first try short acting agents to be certain that you enjoy the effects of treatment before utilizing longer acting agents. Your physician will have their personal preference regarding a filler or neuromuscular agent that gives good results in their hands, and together you should be able to choose a treatment regime that matches your desires.

Chemical Skin Peel: Light to Medium

2009-03-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

Skin peeling involves an application of a chemical solution to sun-damaged, unevenly pigmented, and finely wrinkled facial areas. The procedure is meant to diminish imperfections by peeling away the skin's top layers. It has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics. Chemical peels vary according to their specific ingredients and their strength. Depth of peeling action may also depend on factors such as how long solutions remain on the skin and whether they are lightly applied, or more heavily or vigorously applied.

Technique:

The surgeon will select the best chemical or chemical mix for the individual patient. A solution is applied using a sponge, cotton pad, cotton swab or brush to the areas to be treated (or the entire face, avoiding the eyes, brows and lips). Generally, the most superficial peels are those using alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), such as glycolic, lactic or fruit acid. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. A trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is stronger, and has a greater depth of peel compared to AHA's.

Benefits:

AHA:

No anesthesia or sedation is needed, and the patient will feel only a mild tingling or stinging sensation when the solution is applied.
Sometimes a single treatment will give skin a healthier, radiant look.
No downtime - patient can immediately resume normal activities.
Can be mixed with a facial cream or wash in milder concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen.

TCA:

TCA is especially effective in treating darker-skinned patients.
Can possibly be used to achieve some effects of a deep peel, depending on the concentration and manner of application.
Generally shorter recovery time than with a deep (phenol) peel.

Both:

Short, safe procedure.
No covering or after-peel ointment is necessary.
Other Considerations:

AHA:

May require multiple treatments.

TCA:

May require pretreatment with AHA or Retin-A creams.
Repeat treatment may be required.
Deeper TCA peel may result in 2-3 days of restricted activity.

Both:

Sun block is strongly recommended, especially with TCA treatment. Skin pores may appear larger, and the skin may not tan evenly following a chemical peel.
Some facial skin disorders do not respond to chemical peeling.

Micropigmentation

2009-03-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

Micropigmentation-sometimes referred to as "permanent make-up"- is a technique in which minute, metabolically inert pigment granules are implanted below the epidermis for cosmetic and/or corrective enhancement. This ancient Asian beautification practice has gained popularity around the world. Micropigmentation is used to enhance facial features like eyebrows, lashes and lips; to improve conditions like scarring and vitiligo (uneven pigmentation); or to reconstruct the nipple/areola breast area.

Technique:

Typically, two treatments are needed, one or more weeks apart. Needles penetrate the skin a few millimeters, in what is basically a tattooing process.

Benefits:

No downtime and resumption of most normal activities within 24 hours for majority of patients.
The pigments used are made from safe, generally non-reactive compounds approved by the FDA.
The process is relatively quick (for example, an upper and lower lash line takes about 30 to 40 minutes).
Skin returns to normal by the next day. Swelling or redness is generally mild.
Mild discomfort during procedure is avoided using topical and/or local anesthesia.
Good alternative for women with make-up allergies (although procedure is designed to enhance features, not replace make-up altogether).
Pigments are individually mixed for customized results, and designed to look natural. Results can be seen immediately (although full end result will be seen in about three weeks).

Other Considerations:

Permanent procedure. Laser surgery is required to remove pigment.
Patients must avoid direct sunlight, refrain from applying make-up, and wearing contact lenses for a few days, and avoid swimming for several weeks.
A small number of patients may experience allergic reaction or infection.
Scarring is possible due to practitioner error. ASAPS recommends this procedure be performed under medical supervision.
Pigments may cause interference with cranial MRI scans.
Needles inserted too deeply in the skin can cause bleeding, spreading of pigments, and damage to hair follicles.

Spider Vein Therapy

2009-03-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Spider Vein Therapy
Spider veins (telangiectasias) are small purple to red blood vessels often visible on the leg, ankle or foot. Occasionally, spider veins will appear on the face. The cause is unknown, but heredity plays a strong role in the development of this condition. These should not be confused with varicose veins, which are larger, deeper veins that are usually lumpy and sometimes deeper purple in color. Varicose veins may sometimes cause leg discomfort, whereas spider veins are usually pain free.

Spider veins are progressive, and usually increase in number and visibility with age.

Spider Vein Treatment
The oldest and most common treatment for spider veins on the legs is sclerotherapy. This involves injection of a sclerosing agent into the veins, which irritates the vessels, causing them to scar and become less noticeable. Some surgeons use a concentrated (hypertonic) saline solution, while others use different sclerosing agents. Often, the veins do not actually go away, but become less visible because of the reaction around the walls of the vein. The injections may sting a bit, especially if saline is used, but the discomfort does not last long.

Another treatment which is sometimes effective is the use of a laser. This is especially true in the facial area, where the laser may be the preferred method of treatment.

Deep veins and varicose veins are not effectively treated with these methods. In order to treat varicose veins, surgery is usually performed for optimal results. Some differences regarding varicose veins include:

Varicose veins are normally darker in color
Varicose veins usually are larger in size
Varicose veins tend to bulge

More than one treatment is often required, since all the veins will not respond to the first treatment. Also, since this is a progressive condition, the patient can expect new spider veins to occur over time, which may require treatment every few years to maintain the improvement.

Spider Vein Treatment Benefits:

No downtime-patients can immediately resume work and all normal activities. But the patient is advised to refrain from vigorous activities for the first 24 hours.
Little if any discomfort.
Generally, excellent overall improvement in the appearance is achieved.
Sclerotherapy is a safe, time-proven procedure.

Other Spider Vein Treatment Considerations:

Patients may be asked initially to wear heavy-duty support stockings to help keep treated veins closed and reduce bruising.
Initial bruising may occur.
Color changes, and small areas of scarring can occur in the skin where sclerotherapy or laser has been performed.
It is best to avoid direct sunlight (or use a sunscreen) during the first couple of weeks following treatment.

Laser Hair Removal

2009-03-10T02:20:00.002-07:00

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. It is a non-invasive, convenient method to reduce hair growth.

Laser Hair Removal Technique
Depending on the area being treated, the process may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours to complete. The most commonly used lasers utilize a low energy laser beam. This beam passes through the patient’s skin and is attracted to the pigment of the hair. The energy passes down the hair shaft and is absorbed by hair follicles that are in the active growth phase, thereby disabling the hair follicle in the deeper layer of the skin. The hair follicles that are in dormant phase are not affected by the treatment. In most cases, minimal pain should be experienced and no anesthesia is required.

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

A non-invasive, gentle technique that reduces undesirable hair from most parts of the body
Treats larger areas effectively because it disables more than one hair at a time
May make skin color and complexion more uniform
Minimal discomfort
Replaces waxing, electrolysis, shaving and bleaching
No downtime

Laser Hair Removal Considerations

Laser hair removal is an ongoing process that requires multiple sessions because it only affects actively growing hair, and not all hair follicles are active at the same time. In addition, high energy levels are avoided so as to minimize the risk of injury to the adjacent skin
Occasionally patients may experience slight redness of the skin or mild swelling around the hairs
Sunscreen is recommended for any area treated that may be exposed to the sun
Patients with darker skin may not respond well due to inadequate discrepancy between skin and hair colors
Blonde or gray/white hair is less responsive due to lack of ample pigment in the hair

Laser Hair Removal

2009-03-10T02:20:00.001-07:00

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. It is a non-invasive, convenient method to reduce hair growth.

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

A non-invasive, gentle technique that reduces undesirable hair from most parts of the body
Treats larger areas effectively because it disables more than one hair at a time
May make skin color and complexion more uniform
Minimal discomfort
Replaces waxing, electrolysis, shaving and bleaching
No downtime

Laser Hair Removal Considerations

Laser hair removal is an ongoing process that requires multiple sessions because it only affects actively growing hair, and not all hair follicles are active at the same time. In addition, high energy levels are avoided so as to minimize the risk of injury to the adjacent skin
Occasionally patients may experience slight redness of the skin or mild swelling around the hairs
Sunscreen is recommended for any area treated that may be exposed to the sun
Patients with darker skin may not respond well due to inadequate discrepancy between skin and hair colors
Blonde or gray/white hair is less responsive due to lack of ample pigment in the hair

Fat Injection

2009-03-10T02:19:00.001-07:00

Description of Procedure
Fat injection or grafting has broad applications in cosmetic surgery. Fat injected into areas requiring volume-enhancement produces safe, long-lasting, and natural-appearing results as volume is replaced to tissues where fat is diminished. Fat grafting usually involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, washing/ purifying it, and the carefully re-injecting it with specially designed needles into the areas requiring augmentation. The procedure may need to be repeated several times to achieve the desired result.

Swelling, which is commonly seen after fat injection, usually resolves within 2-3 weeks. The degree of swelling is most dependent on the area injected.

Am I Good Candidate for Fat Grafting?
Patients who benefit from fat grafting are people who desire augmentation or filling of volume-deficient areas. The most commonly grafted areas include the hands, face (including the lips), and depressions in the skin contour such as those that have developed following liposuction and scarring.

Generally, patients who are considered for fat injection are in good health. If you have a history of abnormal bleeding or swelling following a procedure you should notify your surgeon. A smoking history should be disclosed to your surgeon. Each patient’s anatomy and proportions vary, and the decision to utilize fat injection techniques depends on the goals of the patient as well as the surgeon.

Fat Injection Standard Procedure Techniques
All patients requesting consideration for fat injection require a thorough pre-procedure evaluation. This may require several visits to your surgeon before the procedure. A full history and physical examination will be performed prior to the procedure. Your surgeon may take pre-procedure photographs, an informed consent will be obtained, and your skin may be marked. Either local (‘twilight’) or general anesthesia may be used, depending on your surgeon’s preference.

Fat is harvested using a special suction cannula using sterile technique. Once enough fat is obtained from the donor area, it is then purified. This often requires the use of a centrifuge which spins the fat and removes impurities. The fat is then placed into the areas requiring augmentation. The injection needle is usually passed in and out of the areas to be augmented multiple times. This creates a ‘grid’ of threads of fat graft. The areas that were injected may then be massaged by the surgeon to create a satisfactory contour. A dressing may then be placed.

Fat Injection Benefits/ Advantages
Fat injection or grafting is a technique that is growing in popularity. Fat is one of most well-tolerated fillers available to aesthetic surgeons, and thus has broad applications. It is natural-appearing, lasts a long time, and is safe. It is an effective filler used for changing body contour, revising scars, filling depressions created by liposuction, and rejuvenating the hands and face. Perhaps most importantly, it spares the patient the inherent risks associated with fillers derived from animals or cadavers.

Fat Injection Risks/Complications/Patient Safety

* Swelling is the most common post-operative side effect. Most of the swelling
* settles down within several weeks
* Bruising in both the donor and recipient areas as a result of bleeding. It is unusual to require a transfusion
* Numbness of the skin overlying the donor and injected areas. This is usually temporary
* Slight asymmetry or contour irregularity. This usually improves as the swelling resolves
* Under or over correction of the defect
* Infection
* Loss of fat viability, with resultant failure of the desired augmentation

Fat Injection Recovery Process
Dressings may be placed on the injected areas. These dressings may include the use of tapes or compressive-type dressings. Your surgeon may request that you don’t sit or lie on injected areas for a prescribed period. Your surgeon may also instruct you regarding a massage program after the procedure. Swelling and bruising usually resolve within 2 to 3 weeks.

Chemical Skin Peel

2009-03-10T02:16:00.000-07:00

A deep chemical skin peel, or phenol peel, is the strongest of chemical peels, and is reserved for individuals with deep wrinkles from sun exposure or is used to treat skin wrinkling around the lips and chin area. The procedure diminishes imperfections in sun-damaged, unevenly pigmented, or coarsely wrinkled facial areas by peeling away the skin's top layers.

Technique:

A full-face deep chemical peel takes 1 to 2 hours to perform. A more limited procedure (such as treatment of wrinkling above the lip) will generally take less than a half-hour. A solution is applied to the area to be treated (avoiding the eyes, brows and lips). There is a slight burning sensation, but it is minimal since the solution also acts as an anesthetic. After the peel solution has worked on the skin, it is neutralized with water. Approximately one hour later, a thick coating of petroleum jelly is layered over the patient's face, covering the protective crust which develops rapidly over the area. This stays in place for 1 to 2 days. In an alternative technique, the patient's face is covered by a "mask," composed of strips of adhesive tape, with openings for the eyes and mouth (this is particularly effective in cases of severe wrinkling).

Some patients experience discomfort after a deep chemical peel, but this can be controlled with medication. A few days after the procedure, new skin with a bright pink color akin to sunburn will emerge; the pinkness will fade within a few days. Post-operative puffiness will also subside in a few days, but the skin will remain sensitive. Patients should avoid exposure to sunlight and continue to use sun block.

Benefits:

Effects of a phenol chemical peel are long lasting, and in some cases are still readily apparent up to 20 years following the procedure. Improvements in the patient's skin can be quite dramatic.
Normal work schedule and other activities can be resumed after 1 to 2 weeks.
Variants in the phenol peel formula can create a milder solution for broader use.

Other Considerations:

Possible postoperative complications can include scarring, infection or abnormal pigmentation. Tends to have a bleaching effect, and patient may need to wear make-up to match treated and untreated areas.
EKG monitoring is advised.
Cannot be used on the neck or other parts of the patient's body.
Not as effective in treating individuals with dark, oily complexions.
Some facial skin disorders do not respond to chemical peeling.
Skin pores may appear larger, and the skin may not tan properly.
Can activate latent cold sore infections.
All forms of deep skin peels include the risk of delayed healing and scarring.

ASAPS Position:

The effectiveness of phenol chemical peeling has been proven in clinical studies over the last 30 years. Because they are serious procedures, it is ASAPS' position that phenol chemical peels should only be performed under the direction of a qualified physician.

Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)

2009-03-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

Plastic surgeons usually recommend that patients wait until they are at least 14 or 15, and possibly older for boys, before undergoing rhinoplasty. This is because the nose may not be fully developed at a younger age. If you are a teen, your plastic surgeon will want to be certain that you have thought carefully about surgery and that the desire to change your appearance is based on your own feelings rather than those of your parents or friends.

Assuming you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for having your nose reshaped. Rhinoplasty is sometimes performed in conjunction with a facelift or other rejuvenate surgery to correct aging changes of the nose such as a drooping tip.

Sometimes certain breathing problems related to the internal nasal structures can be corrected at the same time as nose reshaping is performed. Your plastic surgeon will be able to help you determine whether these structures should be modified along with reshaping your nose.

Your Personal Consultation

During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Some of the indications that you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty are:

your nose appears too large for your face
there is a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed in profile
your nose seems too wide when viewed from the front
the nasal tip droops or plunges
the tip is thickened or enlarged
your nostrils are excessively flared
your nose is off-center or crooked
previous injury has made your nose asymmetrical

It is important that you have a clear idea of how you would like your nose to look and, at the same time, realize that there are limitations to the procedure. Patients with sufficient physical and emotional maturity who undergo rhinoplasty because they want to enhance their self-image are usually very satisfied with their decision.

Your plastic surgeon can provide further information if you have an interest in any of these additional procedures.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for rhinoplasty?

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions you may have, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including repair of nasal injuries, and medications that you currently take. Your plastic surgeon may also ask whether you have difficulty breathing through your nose, suffer from allergies that may cause nasal stuffiness, or are a chronic user of nasal spray. It is important for you to provide complete information.

In evaluating you for rhinoplasty, your plastic surgeon will conduct a routine and painless examination of your internal nasal structures. Your skin quality as well as the size and shape of your nose and its relationship to your other facial features will be carefully studied. In some instances, your plastic surgeon may recommend surgery of your chin, making it either more or less prominent, to improve facial balance. This procedure can be done at the same as your rhinoplasty.

When will I learn about the cost of surgery?

It is understandable that you would like to have information about the cost of surgery as soon as possible. Your plastic surgeon must first complete a thorough evaluation before your individualized surgical plan can be developed. Following this, the fees required for your surgery will be discussed with you. While most insurance plans will not pay for aesthetic nose reshaping, they frequently will cover surgery performed on the internal structures of the nose to improve breathing problems. Your plastic surgeon can discuss this with you at the same time of consultation.

How Rhinoplasty is Performed

Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from rhinoplasty. Your surgeon's goal is to obtain the best possible results for you.

Where are the rhinoplasty incisions placed?

Alterations may be made to increase or decrease the nasal bridge, reduce the size or width of the nose, narrow the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and upper lip, or reshape the tip.

Small wedges of skin, as shown, are removed to narrow the base of the nose or reduce the width of the nostrils.

The surgical techniques employed will depend primarily on the goals established by you and your plastic surgeon. In many instances, all of the incisions will be placed inside your nose, where they will not be visible. If the base of the nose is narrowed or the nostrils reduced, small wedges of skin at the base of the nostrils will be removed. Incisions are hidden in the natural crease where the nostril joins the cheek.

Incisions are placed inside the nose to provide access to the cartilage (blue shaded area) and brown (light brown shaded area) that form the nasal framework.

Depending on the surgical technique used, a splint may be placed on the bridge of the nose for the purpose of holding the tissues in place until they have stabilized.

Sometimes a very short incision is made across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils, called the columella. This technique is called an "open rhinoplasty." Whatever incisions are used to reshape your nose, they will ultimately be very inconspicuous.

Understanding Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from rhinoplasty are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people have their noses reshaped, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.

How is my plastic surgeon able to reshape my nose?

Through the small incisions described previously, work is done on the cartilage and bone that form the framework of your nose.

Sometimes, the position of certain bones may need to be altered slightly in order to make your nose look narrower and straighter. If your nose needs to be built up in some areas, this can be done using nasal cartilage, or perhaps bone or cartilage from another site. The skin and soft tissues then redrape themselves over this new "scaffolding."

Your Surgical Experience

The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection and reactions to anesthesia. Numbness of the skin following rhinoplasty may occur but is usually temporary. Occasionally, if the surgical outcome needs further improvement, additional surgery may be necessary.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your surgery.

How should I prepare for surgery?

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

If your rhinoplasty will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

What will the day of surgery be like?

Your rhinoplasty may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing nose reshaping, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. There may be some discomfort, but this can be controlled by medication which you may continue taking at home. Depending on the surgical technique used, a splint may have been placed on the bridge of your nose for the purpose of holding the tissues in place until they have stabilized. The splint will protect your nose while you sleep and shield it from accidental bumps. Frequently, you may also have a small triangular bandage beneath the tip of your nose. Packing or soft internal splints are sometimes used inside the nostrils, especially if work has been done to improve your breathing.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

How will I look initially?

It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

The first couple of days after surgery, you should restrict your activities and sleep with your head elevated. This will help to minimize swelling and reduce the possibility of minor bleeding, which is not uncommon. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-flammatory medications.

Generally, bruising around the eyes and cheeks is most apparent during the first three days following surgery. Most discoloration will disappear within a week. A few days after surgery, you can begin to use makeup as a concealer, if desired. Noticeable swelling may last for several weeks. Minor residual swelling, most frequently affecting the nasal tip, may continue for many months, but generally this should not be apparent to others. If packing was used, it will either dissolve by itself or be removed three to seven days after surgery. Stitches may also be removed at that time. You may need to continue wearing the nasal splint for up to a week, during which time you should avoid getting it wet.

Results of Your Rhinoplasty

The goal of rhinoplasty is a nose that looks natural and blends harmoniously with your other facial features.

Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait up to one year to see the final results of your rhinoplasty. You are likely, however, to begin enjoying your new look within weeks of your surgery.

Occasionally, a touchup may be desired to further improve the results. If this is the case, the additional procedure is usually less extensive than the original operation.

When can I resume my normal activities?

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you may be able to return to work within a week or ten days after surgery. Most normal activities including exercise can usually be resumed within three weeks.

It will be a few months before you can expose your reshaped nose to direct sunlight. Your nose will be sensitive during this time, and you must be conscientious about using a sunblock to protect your skin. If the bones of your nose were altered, it may be a number of weeks before you can wear glasses without special support such as tape.

How long will the results last?

In most instances, the results of rhinoplasty are permanent, except for possible changes associated with the normal aging process.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon

You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Hair Transplantation

2009-03-10T02:13:00.001-07:00

By age 50, about 50% of American men-and a substantial number of women-are affected by hair loss, much of which is hereditary. Micro-hair transplantation is a state-of-the-art hair transplantation technique that has replaced "plugs" or larger grafts of hair.

Technique:

Most micro-hair transplant procedures (individual hair micrograft restorations) use local anesthesia and are performed on an outpatient basis. Other procedures such as flap surgery, require general anesthesia and are performed in a surgical setting. After approximately six weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out and be replaced about three months later when the new hair grows in. To achieve sufficient density, several sessions may be required. Transplantation is a progressive process requiring hundreds of micro-grafts, each of which will generally contain from one to three hairs mini-grafted from a donor site on the side or back of the head. They are randomly implanted in the bald (or thinning) area so that they will grow in a natural pattern and produce an undetectable result.

Benefits:

Procedure is permanent. Once the transplant procedures are complete, there is no further necessity for surgery.
Restores a natural, more youthful, and vigorous look, with potentially positive psychological effects, such as a boost in confidence.
Less expensive than other hair-loss treatments, when factored over time.

Other Considerations:

Must have availability of healthy hair in donor areas of adequate density. May be combined with other surgical procedures in patients with larger areas of baldness.
Time-consuming process that may require multiple sessions over 1 to 2 years.
Procedure involves some degree of minor discomfort, bruising and swelling.
There may be numbness around the donor or recipient site, which generally disappears within 2 to 3 months.
Several days are required before normal activities can be resumed.
Patient should not have unrealistic expectations about the nature and extent of transplanted hair growth. Individual hair characteristics, such as coarseness and curl, can affec

Facial Implants

2009-03-10T02:11:00.000-07:00

Facial implants are designed for augmentative, reconstructive or rejuvenative purposes. Available in a wide range of sizes and styles for the chin, jaw, nose and cheek, implants add or restore contour and/or proportion to the face.

Technique:

The procedure follows a similar pattern for all facial areas. The surgeon makes a small incision near where the implant will be placed, either in a crease or inside the mouth at the gum/lip junction. Then a pocket is made in the facial tissue, the implant inserted, and the incision is stitched. The process generally takes 1-2 hours, usually with general anesthesia. The incision is bandaged or taped, and stitches are removed in 5-10 days (sutures placed inside the mouth will dissolve in a similar period of time). Sometimes facial implants are inserted at the same time as a facelift, nose or eyelid procedure is performed.

Benefits:

Return to work and other normal activity within a week.
Generally performed in the surgeon's office or an outpatient surgical center.
Adds aesthetically pleasing contour to the face.
Results are essentially permanent.

Other Considerations:

As with any surgical procedure, infection may occur. If the infection persists, the implant may have to be removed and replaced at a later time.
Shifting of the implant is another possibility. Should the implant become slightly misaligned, a second procedure might be necessary to reposition it.
Postoperative bruising and swelling. Mild/moderate discomfort for 1 to 2 days.
Strenuous activity and rough contact to the implant area must be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Patients with gum or dental problems will want to confer with their dentist.

Facelift

2009-03-10T02:08:00.000-07:00

Am I a good candidate for facelift surgery?
The face usually portrays the first visible signs of aging. Both gravity and diminished volume result in the facial features of aging. Most patients requesting evaluation for facelift feel that their facial features do not reflect their youthful spirit and energy level. They are looking for ways to refresh and rejuvenate their appearance. There are many different variations of the facelift procedure that smooth the skin of the face and neck, tighten the underlying tissues and muscle, and remove excess skin. Ultimately, the facelift will allow you to turn back the hands of time to better reflect your youthful spirit.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for a facelift?
During the pre-operative consultation, your surgeon will perform a history and physical examination. During your physical examination, your facial bone structure, underlying skin structure, skin thickness, texture, and elasticity as well as the extent of facial wrinkles and folds will be assessed. This information will be used to formulate a surgical plan and the goals of the procedure will be discussed. Generally, a facelift is a very versatile procedure, and your surgeon will explain the technique that he or she feels most comfortable with and that offers the lowest risk. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you based on your discussions regarding the outcome you wish to achieve.

How is a facelift performed?
The facelift procedure continues to evolve. Over the years, the procedure has changed from simple skin lifting to more complex deeper plane lifting techniques. Today, many different techniques exist, with outcomes that are consistently reliable and durable. The facelift procedure usually involves incisions in front of and behind the ear. The incisions may extend into the scalp. Once the incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the face are ‘lifted’. Muscle tightening as well as liposuction of the neck and jowls may be performed, and excess skin is either removed or repositioned. The results are a reversal of the effects of gravity and tightening of soft tissues of the face to restore a more youthful contour to the face.

Understanding Risks
Fortunately, significant complications from facelifts are infrequent. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful facelift surgery and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. These are best discussed on a personal basis with your surgeon or one of their qualified staff members.

Some of the potential complications that may occur include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), infection, and reactions to anesthesia. While plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissues, injury to underlying structures is possible, though usually temporary. Facelift incisions are usually quite inconspicuous; however, this is not entirely predictable due to individual variations in healing. You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon both before and after surgery.

Your Surgical Experience
The goal of your plastic surgery team is to make your surgical experience as easy and as comfortable as possible.

Pre-Operative
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued prior to surgery. If your hair is short, you may want it to grow out enough to cover your incisions while they heal. Any chemical processing of your hair should be performed prior to surgery since you cannot have any of these procedures for a month of more after surgery. If your facelift will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

Day of Surgery
Your facelift may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the procedure. You and your plastic surgeon will have decided in advance what type of anesthesia is to be used – either intravenous sedation (twilight) or general anesthesia. For your safety during and after the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area. A bandage may be wrapped around your face. Sometimes small tubes will be inserted beneath the skin to drain away fluid that might otherwise accumulate. There is surprisingly very little discomfort experienced after facelift surgery. However, any discomfort you may experience will be controlled with pain medication as needed.
You may be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in a hospital or surgical facility.

Recovery
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes to recover from Facelift surgery varies greatly between individuals. Elevation of the head is extremely helpful in reducing the initial post-operative swelling. Your surgeon may also advise you to use ice packs intermittently.

You should avoid Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke should be avoided to prevent delays in the healing process.

Once the dressings and drains are removed, puffiness and discoloration may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry – this is normal. Most swelling is usually noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, and most bruising resolves within 2 weeks. Concealing makeup is usually permitted after the first week. You may experience numbness to the face post-operatively, which usually resolves within several months

Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks. Most stitches are removed within a week of the surgery.

Straining, bending, and lifting should be avoided during the early post-operative period as these activities may predispose you to bleeding.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions that may include caring for the dressings and incisions, directions for your analgesics and other medications, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up in the office to monitor your healing process. It may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve, and up to 6 months for the incision scars to fully fade. Avoidance of factors that could reduce the benefits of the surgery, such as excessive unprotected sun exposure and cigarette use, is vital.

Results of Your Facelift
The results of your facelift may be subtle or dramatic, depending on your appearance prior to the surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your plastic surgeon have established. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait several weeks for an accurate picture of your “new look”. Additional minor changes or settling may occur over several months following your Facelift surgery.

How Much Will a Facelift Cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for facelifts vary widely, and are often dependent on the surgeon’s experience and the geographical location.

The fees are often broken down into several components:

* Surgeon’s professional fee
* Facility fee
* Anesthesia fee
* Medications
* Surgical garments
* Medical tests

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to your plastic surgeon’s office for follow up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Please remember that your relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery from Facelift surgery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Chin augmentation

2009-03-10T02:06:00.000-07:00

Chin Implants Procedure Description:
Aesthetic chin surgery is performed to improve the balance of your facial profile and correct a “weak” chin. Chin augmentation with implants is the procedure of choice for most patients with normally functioning teeth and jaw development. A biocompatible implant is placed over the bone structure of the lower jaw, augmenting the dimensions of your jaw. Depending on the region augmented, you can create a stronger and/or wider chin, and even lengthen your face.

Chin augmentation strengthens the appearance of a receding chin

In one approach, the lower section of bone is moved forward and wired into position.

An alternative approach involves inserting an implant between the bone and chin tissue through a short external incision under your chin or through an incision made inside your mouth between the lower lip and gum. Similarly, your cheekbones may be built up by placing an implant over them.

After surgery, you will have a more balanced profile and pleasing facial contour.

Am I a Good Candidate for Aesthetic Chin Surgery
If you have a mildly weak chin and normal function of your jaw, chin augmentation with implants may be the procedure of choice for you. Perhaps you have used temporary soft tissue fillers in the past to achieve a stronger chin, and are seeking a permanent solution. As with any implant surgery, you should be of good health with a normally functioning immune system.

Chin Implants Standard Procedure Techniques
There are several options available for aesthetic chin surgery. Aesthetic chin surgery augments the bony structure of your jaw, and can create a stronger chin, make the chin wider, or even slightly lengthen your face. Implants of multiple shapes, sizes, and materials are available, and are chosen depending on the changes desired and the technique utilized. To perform aesthetic chin surgery, the incision is made and a pocket designed to accommodate the implant directly over the bone along the lower jaw. Solid silicon implants can be placed through a small incision under the chin. When other rigid biocompatible materials (such as Medpor) are used for chin augmentation, an incision inside the mouth is utilized. The chin implant is secured in place either by designing a well-fitting pocket, or affixing it to soft tissue or bone. The incision is closed, completing the chin augmentation. Usually the entire operation takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, unless other procedures are being performed in addition to the aesthetic chin surgery. Tape is often applied to the skin to assist in holding the implant in place during the normal swelling after surgery.

Chin Implants Benefits / Advantages / Options

* Permanent way to achieve a strong chin (as opposed to temporary fillers)
* May easily be preformed with other procedures (eg: nose surgery/rhinoplasty)
* Multiple chin implant choices are available to achieve your desired look
* Intra-oral or direct surgical approaches available
* Other Considerations for Chin Implants

When considering aesthetic chin surgery with a chin implant, you should be aware that certain patients are better served with other surgical approaches. If you have a severely weak chin, or abnormally functioning jaw, a genioplasty or mandibular advancement surgery maybe appropriate. Although these procedures involve cutting the bone of your jaw, and have a longer recovery than chin surgery with chin implants, they can achieve results not attainable with implants alone. To decide which procedure is right for you, it is best to seek consultation with a knowledgeable plastic surgeon.

Chin Implants Risks / Complications / Patient Safety

* Sensation to the chin may be temporarily or permanently changed by the implant
* The chin implant can be shifted, especially in the early stages after surgery
* Avoid contact sports until you are fully healed
* If the chin implant becomes infected, removal may be necessary to clear the infection

Chin Surgery Recovery Process
The usual recovery after aesthetic chin surgery depends on the surgical approach utilized and if other procedures are performed at the same time. In general, from a chin augmentation alone, you will be active around the house the evening of surgery, but your lower lip will be “asleep” similar to after a visit to the dentist. This sensation returns overnight, and your chin will feel mildly sore and swollen. Prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medicines may be provided, and you should maintain light activities. You may be given a garment or your chin may be taped to help maintain the chin implant position during the swelling phase after surgery. Keeping your head elevated helps swelling resolve sooner. If your chin augmentation was performed through the mouth, you will be restricted to a liquid or soft diet for a few days until the gums have healed. You will rinse your mouth after eating to keep the sutures clean, and these will dissolve on their own after several weeks. If your cosmetic chin surgery was performed with a small incision under your chin, sutures are normally removed after 4 to 7 days.

Will Chin Surgery be painful?
The majority of patients do not consider cosmetic chin surgery to be painful surgery. There is a period of “tightness” associated with the increased volume from the chin implant, which is worse right after surgery due to the body’s normal swelling response. Discomfort responds rapidly to oral pain medications, which are usually only needed for a few days.

Will there be scarring undergoing Chin Surgery?
If the intra-oral approach for chin augmentation is used, no visible external scars will be present. If your surgeon places the implant through an incision under your chin, a very small scar will be present in a well-concealed region. With usual social encounters, this scar is not visible.

What are some typical short-term side-effects of undergoing Chin Surgery?
It is normal to have a change in chin sensation after aesthetic chin surgery. Right after surgery, your chin will be “asleep” due to the local anesthetics utilized. After your chin “wakes up”, sensations maybe heightened until sensory nerves near the implant get used to their new, tighter surroundings.

Why type of anesthesia, if any, will be used for Chin Surgery?
Chin augmentation surgery can be performed under light sedation anesthesia or under general anesthesia. The choice of anesthetic is up to yourself and your surgeon to decide.

Lip Augmentation

2009-03-10T02:05:00.001-07:00

Lip augmentation creates fuller, plumper lips and reduces fine wrinkles around the mouth. Lips may be injected with collagen or with fat transferred from another site in the patient's body. Both liquid collagen and fat are absorbed and repeat treatments are necessary to maintain results. Newer, longer-lasting options include implantable materials like AlloDerm and SoftForm.

Technique:

A natural or synthetic biocompatible material, or the patient's own fat, is injected or implanted in the lips. One injection is usually sufficient to produce the desired result, which may be temporary, depending on the material used. Injections may need to be repeated periodically. Proper placement of the injected material is important. AlloDerm, a natural collagen sheet made from donated skin, is inserted through tiny incisions inside the corners of the mouth. Once the AlloDerm implant is in place, it eventually becomes integrated with the natural tissues. Gore-Tex, SoftForm and soft ePTFE are other synthetic implant options.

Further options include:

Autologen - injectable dermal implant material made from the patient's own skin.
Dermalogen - injectable Human Tissue Matrix (HTM) procured from donor tissue.
Fascia - injectable donor tissue made from the dense white connective tissue that supports body structure. Can also be done as a surgical implant.
HylaForm - a crystal-clear injectable gel; the hyaluronic acid in Hylaform is similar to that naturally found in the body.
Radiance - calcium hydroxylapatite
Restylane - crystal-clear injectable gel; the hyaluronic acid in Restylane is very close to that naturally found in the body.

Another augmentation choice is laser lip rejuvenation, which tightens the natural collagen and elastic tissue beneath the lips.

Benefits:

Immediate return to normal activities (one-day return if sedated) for nonsurgical procedures; depending on the procedure and materials used, recovery period is within a week for surgical procedures.
AlloDerm and Dermalogen do not require patients to provide donor tissue and are not rejected by the body, because they are human tissue. Usually they have a pliable, natural feel.
Gore-Tex implants are permanent, easily inserted and well tolerated by the body.
Temporary procedures like collagen or fat injection can be appealing to patients who want to experiment with a fuller-lipped look, but not necessarily commit to it.

Other Considerations:

Allergic reactions can range from prolonged redness, swelling or itching, to firmness at the injection site. Other possible complications include bleeding, lip asymmetry, and migration and extrusion of the implant. Normal swelling and bruising lasts from three days to a week.
Patients with a reaction to the pre-treatment collagen skin test; who have a serious allergy history; or are allergic to lidocaine (a local anesthetic) should not consider lip augmentation. Treatment is sometimes postponed for patients with active inflammatory skin conditions or with infections.
Collagen injections have a short-lived effect (9-12 weeks); fat injections provide longer-lasting results, but are sometimes unpredictable as to the degree of improvement, can have lumping or scarring effects, and must be harvested from another part of the body.
Soft-form is a foreign body and may become infected or be rejected. While many techniques exist for lip augmentation, none are ideal.

Forehead Lift

2009-03-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with aging. It may be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. A forehead lift is also appropriate for treatment of certain inherited traits. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or over activity of muscles may benefit from the Forehead Lift procedure.

Am I a good candidate for Forehead Lift surgery?
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a Forehead Lift:

sagging or low position of the eyebrows, creating a tired or sad appearance
deep horizontal creases across the forehead
frown lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows and sometimes across the top of the nose

The face usually portrays the first visible signs of aging. Gravity and changes in eyebrow shape and position results in the brow area looking aged. Most patients requesting evaluation for a Forehead Lift or Facelift feel that their facial features do not reflect their youthful spirit and energy level. They are looking for ways to refresh and rejuvenate their appearance. There are many different variations of the Forehead Lift procedure that improve the position and shape of the eyebrow and forehead areas. Ultimately, the Brow Lift will allow you to turn back the hands of time to better reflect your youthful spirit.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for a Forehead Lift?
During the pre-operative consultation, your surgeon will perform a history and physical examination. During your physical examination, your facial bone structure, underlying skin structure, brow position, eyelid and eye aesthetics, skin thickness, texture, and elasticity will be assessed. This information will be used to formulate a surgical plan and the goals of the procedure will be discussed. Generally, a Forehead Lift procedure is a very versatile procedure, and your surgeon will explain the technique that he or she feels most comfortable with and that offers the lowest risk. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you based on your discussions regarding the outcome you wish to achieve.

How is a Forehead Lift performed?
The Forehead Lift procedure continues to evolve. Over the years, the procedure has changed from open techniques to more complex short incision and endoscopic techniques. The Forehead Lift procedure usually involves incisions in the hair-bearing scalp. Occasionally, incisions may be performed in the forehead, and/ or the upper eyelids. Once the incisions are made, various degrees of undermining of the skin are performed, and the deeper layers of the forehead are ‘lifted’. Muscles that depress the eyebrows may be disrupted. The skin and deeper layers are often then ‘fixed’ or attached to the bone. The results are a reversal of the effects of gravity and tightening of soft tissues of the forehead to restore a more youthful contour to the upper face.

How is my plastic surgeon able to improve my frown lines and the position of my eyebrows?
In many instances, an incision is made across the top of the scalp, beginning above the ears and hidden within the hair. Sometimes, the incision may be placed at the front of the hairline or, in some cases, toward the middle of the scalp. The incision is designed to be inconspicuous when healed. Through the Forehead Lift incision, your plastic surgeon can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin, and lift your eyebrows to a more pleasing level.


In many instances, an incision is made across the top of the sclap, beginning above the ears and hidden within the hair.

Another Forehead Lift technique uses an endoscope, a long, thin tube with a light on the end, attached to a video camera. The endoscope is inserted through several tiny incisions in the scalp and allows the plastic surgeon to see and work on the various internal structures of the forehead. The endoscopic technique has the advantage of requiring very minimal incisions, but it may not be equally beneficial for all patients. In some instances, alternate methods may be preferable, or a combination of endoscopic and other techniques may be used.

Sometimes, if your main concern is frown lines between your eyebrows or across the top of your nose, a limited endoscopic procedure to correct these problems can be done.

Understanding Risks of Forehead Lift Surgery
Fortunately, significant complications from Forehead Lifts are infrequent. Every year, thousands of people undergo successful Brow Lift surgery and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. These are best discussed on a personal basis with your surgeon or one of their qualified staff members.

Some of the potential complications that may occur include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin), infection, and reactions to anesthesia. While plastic surgeons are trained in techniques for safely manipulating facial skin and tissues, injury to underlying structures is possible, though usually temporary. Forehead Lift incisions are usually quite inconspicuous; however, this is not entirely predictable due to individual variations in healing. You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon both before and after surgery.

Your Forehead Lift Surgical Experience
The goal of your plastic surgery team is to make your surgical experience as easy and as comfortable as possible.

Pre-Operative
If you are a smoker, it is highly recommended to stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued prior to surgery. If your hair is short, you may want it to grow out enough to cover your incisions while they heal. Any chemical processing of your hair should be performed prior to surgery since you cannot have any of these procedures for a month of more after surgery. If your Forehead Lift will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night of following surgery.

Day of Surgery
Your Forehead Lift may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the procedure. You and your plastic surgeon will have decided in advance what type of anesthesia is to be used – either intravenous sedation (twilight) or general anesthesia. For your safety during and after the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area. A bandage may be wrapped around your forehead or face. Sometimes small tubes will be inserted beneath the skin to drain away fluid that might otherwise accumulate. There is surprisingly very little discomfort experienced after Forehead Lift surgery. However, any discomfort you may experience will be controlled with pain medication as needed.

You may be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in a hospital or surgical facility.

Recovery
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes varies greatly between individuals. Elevation of the head is extremely helpful in reducing the initial post-operative swelling. Your surgeon may also advise you to use ice packs intermittently.

You should avoid Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke should be avoided to prevent delays in the healing process.

How will I look and feel initially?
Once the dressings and drains are removed, puffiness and discoloration may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry – this is normal. Most swelling is usually noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, and most bruising resolves within 2 weeks. Concealing makeup is usually permitted after the first week. You may experience numbness to the forehead post-operatively, which usually resolves within several months.

Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks. Most stitches are removed within a week of the surgery.

Straining, bending, and lifting should be avoided during the early post-operative period as these activities may predispose you to bleeding.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions that may include caring for the dressings and incisions, directions for your analgesics and other medications, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up in the office to monitor your healing process. It may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve, and up to 6 months for the incision scars to fully fade. Avoidance of factors that could reduce the benefits of the surgery, such as excessive unprotected sun exposure and cigarette use, is vital.

Results of Your Forehead Lift
The results of your Brow Lift may be subtle or dramatic, depending on your appearance prior to the surgery as well as the specific goals that you and your plastic surgeon have established. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait several weeks for an accurate picture of your “new look”. Additional minor changes or settling may occur over several months following your surgery.

How Much Will a Forehead Lift Cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for Brow Lifts vary widely, and are often dependent on the surgeon’s experience and the geographical location.

The fees are often broken down into several components:

* Surgeon's professional fee
* Facility fee
* Anesthesia fee
* Medications
* Surgical garments
* Medical tests

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to your plastic surgeon’s office for follow up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Surgical Risks Overview

2009-03-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

General Considerations for Surgery
Being prepared for surgery, both mentally and physically, will make the whole process less anxiety provoking. Please read this section about general issues related to surgery. Specific issues and instructions for each procedure you are considering will be reviewed in the procedure section.

Understanding risks
All surgery has associated risks, and understanding these risks will help you feel more comfortable about them. In general, small procedures have small risks, and major procedures have larger risks. It makes sense that if an incision is necessary for a procedure, there will be a scar. Likewise, when the skin is cut, there is a possibility of bleeding. Finally, until the incision is fully healed, there is a possibility of contracting an infection. Many steps are taken to reduce all of these risks, but even if everything is performed perfectly, a small chance remains that something may occur. Other general risks may not immediately jump to mind, but are understandable once you consider them further:

During the rough and tumble years of childhood, many of us have experienced bumps or scrapes. If you bumped your knee, you probably noticed some swelling. If you scraped it badly, even if there was no bleeding, it could weep fluid for a period of time. Similarly, after any surgery, your body will respond by creating fluid around the operative region. The fluid can be seen as edema (soft swelling of the skin), or, if a potential cavity was created during the surgery, it can manifest as a seroma (a fluid collection under the skin). In surgeries where a seroma is expected to occur, drains may be placed to remove this fluid.
All incisions made during surgery need to heal, and occasionally delayed healing can occur. Smoking and vascular conditions are known to slow down healing, so please be forthcoming during your preoperative interview and compliant with smoking abstinence in the peri-operative period.
Variable amounts of bruising are possible, and occasionally there can be significant bleeding after surgery which requires additional operative intervention for treatment. With small surgical procedures, these issues will prolong the visible recovery period (due to more extensive bruising). With very extensive operations, the possibility of a blood transfusion may be entertained if excessive bleeding were to occur.
It is normal to have some numbness near scars, as skin incisions divide small sensory nerves. Sometimes, larger regions can be affected, depending on how extensively your body tissues are moved to achieve the desired surgical changes. Typically, sensation will return over a period of months as the small nerve endings heal back into their correct locations.
The life threatening complication of blood clots to the lungs (pulmonary emboli) is well known, and steps will be taken to reduce the chance of this occurring. The risk is higher in procedures with long operative times, and is reduced through the use of compression devices during surgery. Soon after your operation, you will be asked to resume walking, as walking reduces the chance of this occurring.

Know what to expect

Pre Operative
The goal of your plastic surgeon and their staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable as possible. You will be provided with information regarding your specific procedure, all of which is aimed at removing the uncertainties that you would otherwise be facing. There are risks associated with surgery, and some instructions are aimed at reducing these risks. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery.

Day of Surgery
Your surgery will be performed either in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility or an accredited office-based surgical suite. Medications will be administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Depending on the procedure being performed and your comfort level, pain relief can be achieved with local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or sometimes general anesthesia. For your safety during the operation, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

Once surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. If you had an “outpatient” procedure performed, you will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation. If you have undergone a general anesthetic, you must have a caregiver assist you with daily activities continuously for the first 24 hours. If your procedure requires an overnight stay, you will be transported to an overnight observation room after initially waking up in the recovery area.

Recovery
Recovery from surgical procedures varies according to the procedure performed, as well as the individual on whom they are performed. The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly. During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of bruising and swelling. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Remember that you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications as these will make your bruising worse, and could lead to bleeding. Swelling is a normal response of your body after surgery, and keeping the operated region elevated will help reduce the swelling. Cool compresses can help relieve discomfort and decrease swelling, but should only be used as specified by your surgeon. For most procedures, the first 2 to 3 days is when you will experience the most discomfort and you should expect to use oral pain medications on a scheduled basis. The discomfort level then rapidly decreases, and most patients can then reduce their medication to an as-needed basis by the 4th to 7th day after surgery. You will probably benefit from some medication at night to assist with sleep up to 10 days after the operation.

In general, it is good to avoid strenuous activities for the first few weeks after surgery. Specific instructions are tailored to the restrictions of individual procedures, and should be followed to achieve the best outcomes. After any operation, it is important to resume normal activities of daily living as soon as possible. These include going to the dinner table to eat and walking yourself to the rest room. This minimal amount of walking activity is enough to significantly reduce the risk of blood clot formation in your legs. Strenuous activities (such as running or weight lifting) should be avoided until your surgeon feels they are safe to resume.

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon. You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Depending on your surgery, the surgical incisions will be closed either with absorbable sutures (that disappear on their own) or material that need to be removed (such as non-absorbable sutures or staples). The choice of closure material depends on the type of surgery being performed and the tension along the incision. If you need anything removed, this will be performed during a scheduled office visit. The timing for these visits will be discussed by your surgeon. In general, you will be instructed how to keep your incisions clean, and the care regime during the immediate healing phase. After immediate healing is complete (2 to 3 weeks), you will be instructed in scar care, with the use of creams to speed scar maturation, and sun block to avoid scar pigmentation.

Other Considerations
All cosmetic surgery is aimed at changing contours of your body. The best way to maintain your surgical results are to protect the elastic properties of your skin (smoking avoidance, sun protection) and maintain a stable weight. Aside from prolonging the desired effects of your surgery, these practices are good for your overall health.

Eyelid Surgery

2009-03-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

Am I A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?

Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you may be considered a good candidate for eyelid surgery:

* Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
* Loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
* A puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
* Excess skin and fine, “crepe paper type” wrinkles of the lower eyelids
* Bags and dark circles under the eyes
* Lower eyelid droopiness

Aesthetic eyelid surgery can usually correct these problems, though other treatments may also need to be considered. Some examples follow. If the upper eyelid condition is accompanied by sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead lift may be recommended. Smoothing of crow's feet may be accomplished with Botox®, chemical peeling or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with fillers such as Hyaluronic Acid or fat as well as bleaching solution or chemical peel. Your plastic surgeon can provide further information if you have an interest in any of these additional procedures.

Results of Your Eyelid Surgery
Aesthetic eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed and alert. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your eyelid surgery. Incisions will fade over a number of months usually becoming barely visible.
The results of aesthetic eyelid surgery are usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by heredity and lifestyle factors.
Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions generally will not recur. The skin continues to age, however, and skin laxity along with the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may, at some point, return. Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the eyebrows which mimics a recurrence of drooping upper eyelids. If this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.
Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time.

Your Personal Consultation-- How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic eyelid surgery?
During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. should be reviewed as these medical conditions may increase some risks associated with eyelid surgery.

Your plastic surgeon will want to know if you have allergies, especially if they affect your eyes. He or she may ask whether you have ever tried and were unable to wear contact lenses.

It will be necessary for your surgeon to know if you were ever told by an ophthalmologist that you have a condition called "dry eye" or if you have any other problems with your eyes.

How Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery is Performed
One of several surgical techniques may be suggested to improve the appearance of your eyelids. The particular technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on many factors such as the amount of excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the condition of muscles around your eyelids.
Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from eyelid surgery. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you.

Upper Eyelids

Eyelid Surgery After

For upper eyelid surgery, generally an incision is hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid and extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the laugh lines or other existing creases. Through this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. Because the incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it usually is inconspicuous.

Lower Eyelids

Eyelid Surgery After

For lower eyelid surgery, often an incision is hidden just below the lower lashes. Through this incision, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed, or fat may be redistributed to eliminate puffiness or bulges. Other adjustments to correct special problems such as muscle laxity may be performed. As in upper eyelid surgery, placement of the incision in natural crease lines allows for the scar to usually heal in an inconspicuous fashion.

In some cases, you and your surgeon may decide that the best approach for removing excess fat is through an incision placed inside the lower eyelid. This technique requires no external incision, but it cannot be used to remove excess skin. A laser may sometimes be used in conjunction with this method to tighten the lower eyelid skin.

Understanding Risks
Fortunately, significant complications from aesthetic eyelid surgery are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people undergo eyelid surgery successfully, without experiencing any major problem.

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks. Following the surgery, there can be a feeling of dryness or irritation in the eye that requires treatment. There is a possibility of impaired eyelid function that sometimes may need to be corrected by additional surgery.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your eyelid surgery.

Your Surgical Experience (Preoperative Preparation and Recovery) for Eyelid Surgery
Pre-Operative
The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

If you are a smoker, it is highly recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking can impair your ability to heal. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Aesthetic eyelid surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours.

The Day of Eyelid Surgery
Your eyelid surgery may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Your vision will be blurry as a result of ointment used to soothe and protect the eye during surgery as well as from the swelling that is a normal aftermath of eyelid procedures. There should be surprisingly little discomfort, however, from the surgery.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. Your surgeon may instruct you to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Initially, you may feel a "tight" sensation around the eyes and some mild discomfort that can be controlled with oral medication. During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. Some patients find that mild swelling persist for several weeks, while others may see swelling resolve in as little as one week. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Within the first week or so, you will be permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any discoloration. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.

Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness. Some plastic surgeons recommend eye drops to help relieve any burning or itching. You may want to wear dark sunglasses for a couple of weeks to protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Although you might feel like going back to work just a few days after surgery, your vision may still be slightly blurry which could make reading or other paperwork more difficult.

How Much Will Eyelid Surgery Cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for eyelid surgery vary widely, and are often dependent on the surgeon’s experience and the geographical location.

The fees are often broken down into several components:

* Surgeon’s professional fee
* Facility fee
* Anesthesia fee
* Medications
* Surgical garments
* Medical tests

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

2009-03-09T23:17:00.001-07:00

Am I A Good Candidate For Ear Surgery?

Patients who benefit from ear surgery include those who may have:

Protruding ear(s)- Majority of the cosmetic surgery performed on ears.
Large ear(s)
Abnormally shaped ear(s)

Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for this surgery.

Results of Your Ear Surgery
Usually the final results of the ear surgery are very long lasting.

Your Personal Consultation-- How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for Aesthetic Ear Surgery?
During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. should be reviewed as these medical conditions may increase some risks associated with ear surgery. Your plastic surgeon will want to know if you have allergies.

How is Aesthetic Ear Surgery Performed
One of many surgical techniques may be suggested to improve the appearance of your ear(s). The particular technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on the nature of the problem and many other factors including your desires. Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from ear surgery. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you.

If your problem is protruding ears, the supporting tissue of the ears, called cartilage, is reshaped in order to position your ears closer to your head. This usually is accomplished through incisions placed behind the ears. Subsequent scars will be concealed in the natural skin crease. In some cases, especially in ears that need to be reduced in size or are protruding in the middle 1/3 of the ear, external incision of the front (outside surface) of the ear will be necessitated. Usually these are placed in areas where they will heal in a more inconspicuous manner. In ear reductions, skin as well as cartilage will most often need to be removed.

Understanding Risks of Ear Surgery
Fortunately, significant complications from aesthetic ear surgery are infrequent. Every year, many successful cosmetic ear surgeries are performed, without experiencing any major problem.

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks. Sutures may be visible or may even break allowing for partial or complete recurrence of the protrusion and / or loss of the ear fold. Irregularities, sharp folds and other shape abnormalities may ensue.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your ear surgery.

Your Surgical Experience (Preoperative Preparation and Recovery)
Pre-Operative
The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery since smoking can impair the healing process. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.
Aesthetic ear surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours.

The Day of Ear Surgery
Your ear surgery may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing ear surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances (especially young children). For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. You will be instructed to inform your caretaker if the dressings feel too tight. There is surprisingly little discomfort, however, from the surgery, especially if the ears are in a head dressing.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

Recovery from Ear Surgery
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
The first several days you should maintain head elevation as much as possible. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.

Initially, pain is usually controlled with oral medication. Some patients find that mild swelling persist for many weeks. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.
After surgery, you may be instructed to wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position. Often a ski band to cover the ears is worn at night to prevent the ears from bending during sleep.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Most people return to work at 7- 10 days.

How Much Will Ear Surgery Cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for ear surgery vary widely, and are often dependent on the surgeon’s experience and the geographical location.

The fees are often broken down into several components:

Surgeon’s professional fee
Facility fee
Anesthesia fee
Medications
Surgical garments
Medical tests

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon after Ear Surgery
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

2009-03-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

Am I A Good Candidate For Ear Surgery?

Patients who benefit from ear surgery include those who may have:

Protruding ear(s)- Majority of the cosmetic surgery performed on ears.
Large ear(s)
Abnormally shaped ear(s)

Results of Your Ear Surgery
Usually the final results of the ear surgery are very long lasting.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your ear surgery.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

Surgeon’s professional fee
Facility fee
Anesthesia fee
Medications
Surgical garments
Medical tests

Cheek Augmentation

2009-03-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

Cheek Implants Procedure Description:
Many people consider full cheeks very attractive. Weak cheeks can make your face appear gaunt, and create an aged appearance to the under-eye area. Cheek augmentation can restore the fullness to your cheeks if it has been lost with aging, or can create the appearance of strong cheek bones if you never had them. There are many options for aesthetic cheek surgery, depending on your particular appearance, and the look you wish to attain. The operation adds volume to the cheek by effectively augmenting the bone structure of the cheek region, enhancing the foundation of your mid-face.

Am I a Good Candidate for Cheek Implants
If you have lost volume in the malar region associated with aging, or if you were born with weak cheeks and desire a fuller, more youthful appearance, you may be a candidate for aesthetic cheek surgery. Some patients have used temporary soft tissue fillers in the past to achieve full cheeks, and are seeking a permanent solution. Patients undergoing cheek augmentation should be of good health, with a normally functioning immune system.

Cheek Implants Standard Procedure Techniques
Aesthetic cheek surgery can be performed alone, or in combination with other surgical procedures. Multiple shapes and sizes of implants are available to fit your particular anatomy and desired change. Depending on the areas that are being addressed, the implants can be placed through the mouth with a small incision at the gum line, or through a lower eyelid incision if eyelid rejuvenation is being performed at the same time. Depending on the approach and your surgeon’s preference, the cheek implants can be made of solid silicone or other non-reactive materials such as Medpor. Surgically, a pocket is made for the implant directly over the cheek bone, and the implant placed. The implant is secured either by designing a well fitting pocket, or affixing it to soft tissue or bone. The incision is closed, completing the cheek augmentation. Usually the whole operation takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, unless other procedures are being performed in addition to the cheek augmentation.

Cheek Implants Benefits / Advantages / Options

* Permanent way to achieve full cheeks (as opposed to temporary fillers)
* May easily be preformed at the time of other facial surgery
* Intra-oral or eyelid approach
* Multiple implant choices to achieve desired look

Other Considerations regarding Cheek Implants
If you are bothered by weak cheeks and are not sure if implants are right for you, it is best to seek consultation with a knowledgeable plastic surgeon. Implants add volume to the cheek, and in doing so provide a lift. A similar effect can be achieved with soft tissue fillers, and these can be used as a temporary way to see if you would be happy with cheek implants. A midface-lift may be the procedure of choice for middle aged patients who previously were happy with their midface appearance, but have noted a drop of the cheek rather than loss of volume. With more advanced facial aging, there can be a combination of factors yielding the aging appearance, including bone resorption, loss of skin elasticity, and loss of volume with fat atrophy. The cheek region may appear deflated and jowling can be present along the jawline. In these cases, aesthetic cheek surgery combined with a facelift procedure may yield the ideal result in such cases.

Cheek Implants Risks / Complications / Patient Safety

* Sensation to the cheek may be temporarily or permanently changed by the implants.
* Implants can become shifted, especially in the early stages after surgery. Avoid contact sports until you are fully healed.
* With the eyelid approach for surgery, retraction of the lower eyelid is possible, which may create dry eye sensation.
* If cheek implants become infected, removal may be necessary to clear the infection.

Cheek Surgery Recovery Process
The usual recovery after aesthetic cheek surgery depends on the type of surgical approach utilized and if other procedures are performed at the same time. In general, from a cheek augmentation alone, you should be active the day of surgery, but your upper lip will be “asleep” similar to a visit to the dentist. This sensation returns overnight, and the cheeks will feel mildly sore and swollen. Prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medicines may be provided, and you should maintain light activities. Keeping your head elevated helps the swelling resolve sooner. If your cheek augmentation was performed through the mouth, you will be restricted to a soft diet for a few days until the gums have healed. You will rinse your mouth after eating to keep the sutures clean, and these will dissolve on their own after several weeks. If the eyelid approach was utilized, your surgeon will instruct you on how to rest your eyes, and utilize lubricants to prevent dryness during the post-surgery swelling phase. During follow-up visits, skin sutures will be removed.

Will Cheek Surgery be painful?
Most patients do not consider aesthetic cheek surgery to be a painful surgery. There is a period of “tightness” associated with the increased volume from the cheek implant, which is worse right after surgery due to the body’s normal swelling response. Pain medications are usually only needed for a few days, and then only at night to help with sleep.

Will there be scarring from Cheek Surgery?
With the intra-oral approach for cheek augmentation, no visible external scars should be present. If an eyelid approach is utilized for your aesthetic cheek surgery, scars will be present under the eyelash margin. Scars in this location are usually very hard to identify, even when you are searching for them.

What are some typical short-term side-effects of Cheek Surgery?
It is normal to have a change in cheek sensation after aesthetic cheek surgery. Right after surgery, your cheek will be “asleep” due to the local anesthetics utilized. After your cheek “wakes up”, sensations maybe heightened until sensory nerves near the implant get used to their new, tighter surroundings.

Why type of anesthesia, if any, will be used for Cheek Surgery?
Cheek augmentation surgery can be performed under sedation anesthesia, or general anesthesia, depending on the technique utilized and the preferences of the patient and surgeon. Contact and consult your plastic surgeon to see what they suggest for your individual case.

Post-Bariatric (Body Contouring Surgery After Dramatic Weight Loss)

2009-03-06T01:08:00.001-08:00

Body contouring after major weight loss reduces the excess skin and fat that is left behind from the expansion of skin, loss of fat and lack of tissue elasticity that often occurs after a major weight loss. This sagging skin commonly develops around the face, neck, upper arms, breast, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs and can make your body contour appear irregular and misshapen. If you have undergone dramatic weight loss either through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, and you are at your optimum weight loss goal, you may be a good candidate for this surgery and may wish to consider undergoing this procedure.

The success of body contouring, whether it is done to reduce, enlarge or lift, is influenced by your age and by the size, shape and skin tone of the area to be treated. Some contouring procedures leave only small, inconspicuous scars. More noticeable scars may result when surgical removal of fat and skin is necessary to achieve your desired result. Most patients find these scars acceptable and enjoy greater self-confidence when wearing a bathing suit or form-fitting clothes.

It is not uncommon, depending on individual patient factors, the extent of surgery needed and surgeon preference, for massive weight loss patients to have multiple operations performed in stages. In such cases, the waiting period between surgeries ranges from weeks to several months or longer.

Face and Neck Lift

After dramatic weight loss, the face skin can become flaccid, resulting in the cheek pads dropping, and jowls forming, resulting in the loss of a defined jaw line. In addition, the neck is loose and sagging.

A face and neck lift raises the cheek pads, corrects the jowls, and removes the loose and sagging skin. The incisions are inconspicuous. They are placed in front of and behind the ears, and extend into the hair above and behind the ear.

Post-bariatric surgery patients may be nutritionally deficient, and this can have consequences for surgery and recovery. Patients may be referred for nutritional counseling and advised to wait a year or longer following their weight loss before undergoing plastic surgery. It is also important for the patient’s weight to stabilize before body contouring begins.

Patients may be surprised to learn the extent of plastic surgery that is required to bring their body back to a more normal and aesthetic appearance. Many of these patients will need a total body lift. While surgeons may define this term somewhat differently, treatment most likely would include a tummy tuck, circumferential lower body lift, thigh and buttock lifts, removal of back rolls, breast lift and upper arm lift as well as face and neck procedures to get rid of loose, hanging skin in these areas.

Remember no two patients will have exactly the same results. You should realize that to re-contour and shape your body after dramatic weight loss, you will have visible scars, and uneven contours can develop. While the results of body contouring are visible immediately, if you have poor skin elasticity or gain weight, you will have some relapse of the sagging skin.

Through recent advances in all types of body contouring surgery, it is now possible for many patients to have a more proportionate body, better body image, and more self-confidence. The best way to get answers to your specific questions to see if you are a good candidate for this type of surgery is through a personal consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Liposuction (Lipoplasty)

2009-03-06T01:04:00.002-08:00

Am I A Good Candidate For Liposuction?

Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for liposuction surgery:

* Areas of fat deposits that are out of proportion with the rest of your body and do not go away with diet and exercise – so called “diet resistant fat”
* Areas with minimal amounts of excess skin (Liposuction removes fat not skin) and good skin elasticity

Liposuction surgery may be considered to treat areas of excess fat in the stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts (including male breast enlargement), back, arms and neck Liposuction is equally effective in both men and women.

Liposuction Results
Liposuction surgery usually improves contours. In some instances it may be used in a circumferential fashion, thinning an area. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several months to get an accurate picture of the results of your surgery. The small incisions used for access of the instrument known as a cannula, will fade over a number of months usually becoming barely visible.

The results of liposuction surgery are usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by weight gain, aging, pregnancy and lifestyle factors.

Your Personal Consultation-- How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for liposuction surgery?
During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Pictures may be taken of you especially if the areas that will be treated are on your posterior aspect (back, buttock, etc.). This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved. A determination of the elasticity of the skin will also occur.

A discussion concerning your ideal weight and realistic weight will most likely occur. Plans such as future pregnancies, etc. may be discussed.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions, allergies and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. should be reviewed as these medical conditions may increase some risks associated with surgery.

How Liposuction Surgery is Performed
The basic technique of liposuction involves the removal of fat via a hollow metal tube (cannula) that is passed through the fatty tissue. One of the most common types of liposuction involves the aspiration of fat by attaching a pump that generates a vacuum. This is known as suction assisted liposuction (SAL). In addition, a motor may be used on the cannula that causes the cannula to vacillate back and forth thus performing much of the “work” of liposuction know as power assisted liposuction (PAL). An ultrasonic generator may produce sound waves above audible frequency that “breaks” the fat cells and the broken down fat is removed by SAL. A laser can also be employed to break down the fat cells. Each of the methods has advantages and disadvantages. These methods will be discussed with you at the time of the consultation. Additionally, the above techniques may be combined to yield optimal results. The decisions concerning the appropriate technique will best be accomplished by your plastic surgeon.

Understanding Risks of Liposuction
Fortunately, significant complications from liposuction surgery are infrequent. Liposuction surgery is one of the two most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Most often this surgery is performed without experiencing any major problem.

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection, changes in sensation, scarring, allergic reactions, damage to underlying structures, need for revisions, unsatisfactory results possibly necessitating additional procedures and medical risks. Other risks more specific to liposuction may include indentations and irregularities.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your liposuction surgery.

Your Liposuction Surgical Experience (Preoperative Preparation and Recovery)
Pre-Operative
The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.Lipoplasty

If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery since smoking can impair the healing process. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued before undergoing liposuction surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Liposuction surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours. If you are undergoing large volume of liposuction, it may be suggested that you be hospitalized even for one night.

The Day of Liposuction Surgery
Your liposuction surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing liposuction surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. You will most likely be wearing a compression garment, usually used to help “shrink” the skin. Concerning postoperative pain, many patients state that the area feels sore, as if they underwent a vigorous work out.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

Recovery from Liposuction Surgery
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly. If you can elevate the body part, it is usually suggested that you do so. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications. You most likely will wear a garment. If it is too tight you should promptly notify your surgeon.

During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. The swelling persists longer. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.

Straining, bending over and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less.

How Much Will Liposuction Cost?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for liposuction vary widely, and are often dependent on the surgeon’s experience and the geographical location.

The fees are often broken down into several components:

* Surgeon’s professional fee
* Facility fee
* Anesthesia fee
* Medications
* Surgical garments
* Medical tests

Maintaining a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon after Liposuction
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated as a result of your liposuction surgery.

Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery from liposuction surgery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your plastic surgeon.

Body Contouring

2009-03-06T01:04:00.001-08:00

One or more procedures may be recommended to achieve your goals for a more youthful, contoured body. Body contouring goals may be achieved in one surgical session or may be more safely performed in stages depending on your overall health, the type and extent of procedures being considered along with the outcome from discussions and recommendations by your plastic surgeon during the consultation process. Improvements to your body’s shape and overall image may be achieved by reducing excess fat and/or sagging skin and tissue.

Following a well-balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight, and exercising consistently to maintain or attain a fit and healthy body are important contributing factors when it comes to an individual’s body image. However, heredity, changes in the body over time such as weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and even aging can result in a change in your body’s proportions and curves that may affect both your body image and self-confidence. Reshaping disproportionate curves or reducing unwanted fat cannot always be achieved through weight loss and exercise alone. Fitness and skin care have little effect on uneven contours or bulges as well as skin that lacks elasticity. Body contouring surgery can help many people reshape body features that cannot be improved by other measures. Body contouring can dramatically improve the shape and proportion of your body, enhancing your appearance and boosting your self-confidence.

Areas treated by body contouring include the neck, upper arms, female and male breasts, abdomen, flanks, back, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees and ankles.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

2009-03-06T01:03:00.000-08:00

Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes these conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.

Lower Body Lift

2009-03-06T01:02:00.000-08:00

The lower body lift surgical procedure tightens loose, sagging skin in the buttocks, posterior thighs, hips, outer thighs, and anterior thighs. It utilizes incisions which pass from the back around the hips to the front of the thighs. The loose skin, as well as underlying fat tissue, is removed from below the incision to allow suspension of the remaining tissues to stretch and smooth the lower body, especially the buttocks and thighs. The surgery begins in the back and requires repositioning during the surgery to address the hips and outer thighs and front of the thighs. It can be combined with an abdominal skin tightening if needed. If a previous tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) has been performed or is not needed, the lower body lift can be extended to tighten the inner thighs.

The incisions are designed to be hidden by clothing and sportswear or to lie in normally occurring anatomic folds. Layered suture techniques are used to carefully close the area of incision in order to maintain the lift, tightening and smoothing the remaining skin.

Swelling, which is commonly seen after body lift surgery, is controlled by compression garments and the use of drains, sterile collection tubes used to evacuate excess fluid. Weekly follow up visits help to achieve an optimal outcome by allowing adjustments based on visible progress which varies among patients. Full healing of the circumferential incisions may take four weeks or even longer.

Am I a Good Candidate for Lower Body Lift Surgery?

Patients who benefit from lower body lift surgery have:

* Loose skin in their buttocks and back of their thighs
* Loose skin in their hips and side of their thighs
* Loose skin in the front of their thighs
* Loose abdominal skin or in their inner thighs
* Relatively thin layers of fat below the skin of these areas
* Acceptance of the thin scars around the waist
* Patients who have had massive weight loss

Each patient’s anatomy and proportions of loose skin vary from individual to individual. The decision to utilize lower body lifting techniques depends upon your goals and expectations as well as an examination by your surgeon. This will help determine whether the lower body lift will achieve a satisfactory outcome for you.

Lower Body Lift Standard Procedure Techniques
All lower body lift techniques tighten the buttocks/back of the thighs and hips/outer thighs. Loose sagging skin below the incision is removed. The remaining skin in the buttock and thighs is pulled upwards, and the skin is repaired, suspending the tissues and tightening them. This requires positioning the patient on their tummy or side during the procedure. Incision closure is performed in multiple layers over drains, to control stretching and swelling.

Once the back and sides of the patient have been addressed, the front of the patient is treated with the patient positioned on his/her back. Two options are available. These options should be discussed with you preoperatively and are chosen based upon your choice. One option is to combine the lower body lift with abdominal contouring, otherwise known as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). The other option is to combine lower body lift with an inner thigh lift, if the abdomen does not require contouring, or if the patient has had previous abdominoplasty.

These techniques utilize the removal of skin, or excision of skin, to tighten loose, sagging tissue. It can include the removal of the fat layer under the excised skin to lessen fullness and padding in the lower body.

Candidates for body lift surgery all have extra skin which must be removed by excision. This differs from liposuction, in that liposuction removes only fat through small quarter inch incisions, but no skin. However, liposuction may be done in conjunction with body lifting techniques to smooth and contour areas separate from the effects of the body lift excisions. Again, a thorough discussion and examination are essential to determining a comprehensive surgical plan.

Lower Body Lift Benefits/Advantages/Options

* Multiple areas (buttocks, thighs, possibly abdomen) addressed in one single operation
* Tightening extends lower in the back, side and front of thighs than other circumferential excisional procedures
* Can be combined with breast surgery or arm contouring procedures
* Can be combined with liposuction in selected areas

Other Considerations of Lower Body Lift Surgery
Since the operation achieves tightening of the lower body by excising loose tissue (skin and fat), the lower body lift should be performed when the patient is as close to their desired or ideal body weight as possible. If, for example, the patient has tightening of their lower body and then loses weight, the tightened skin will loosen and become saggy. Conversely, post operative weight gain will either stretch the skin which has been tightened or undo the improvements of the body lift.

Because the lower body is lifted and suspended to the skin closure, excessive heaviness in the thighs and buttocks at the time of surgery may prevent a long lasting effect. In such cases, further weight loss may be recommended before performing body lifting procedures. If this is not feasible, liposuction may be an option to thin the thighs and buttocks before attempting excisional body lifting.

Lower Body Lift Surgery Risks/Complications/Patient Safety

* Seromas (collections of fluid below the skin) may require the use of drains
* Delayed healing from small separations in the incision closure in areas of high tension and stretch
* Numbness in areas adjacent to the incision
* Slight asymmetries may occur in spite of efforts to balance skin and fat removal
* Bleeding may lead to bruising, but it is very rare to require transfusions
* Blood clots to the lung (pulmonary emboli) are rare. Sequential compression devices (SCD’s) on the calves during surgery has significantly lessened the incidence in body contouring procedures
* Surgical operating time and duration may last six hours or more for the body lift. Measures are taken to warm the patient carefully during surgery. Medical conditions are addressed preoperatively to ensure the safety of the patient for such durations.

Lower Body Lift Recovery Process
Surgical drains are placed to remove fluid which accumulates within the incisions. The amount of fluid is measured by the patient on a daily basis. Once the output falls low enough arrangements are made for removal of the drain in an office outpatient setting. Drains typically remain in place two to three weeks, but may be left longer.

Sutures in the incision closure may require removal. This typically occurs around two weeks after surgery, and this, too, is done in an office as an outpatient treatment.

Compression garments may be placed on the patient to control swelling, to support the suspended tissues, and to smooth and flatten the skin. Placement can occur at the time of surgery, or later, at the surgeon’s discretion.

Activity is determined by the progress of the healing of the incision. Patients are encouraged to walk the day after surgery. Once the drains are removed, movement is easier.

As a patient you would be admitted to the hospital after surgery. You may stay a couple of days to learn care of their drains and feel comfortable in walking and moving. Once comfortable with oral pain medications, you would be discharged.

Usually resumption of normal activities can occur four to six weeks after surgery.

Lower Body Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Will lower body lift surgery be painful?
For the most part, pain is controlled by oral pain medications. The first day of surgery, you may require injections or intravenous pain medications, but usually pain pills satisfactorily relieve discomfort after that.

Will there be scarring from body lift surgery?
There will be a scar along the incision. It will be as thin as your surgeon can make it, using multiple layers of sutures to prevent spreading. However, there will always be some evidence of the surgical incision. Your surgeon may be able to show you pictures of the scar locations, as an example.

What are some typical short-term side effects from body contouring surgery?
Numbness or decreased sensation can occur in the upper buttocks or thighs and in the lower abdomen (if the abdomen is included in the body lift surgery) Seromas, collections of fluid (serum) under the skin may occur even after drain removal. These may require removal by aspiration in the office using a syringe. Swelling may require the use of compression garments around the waist and thighs for four to six weeks after surgery.

What type of anesthesia will be used for body lift surgery?
Body lift surgery is typically performed under a general anesthesia. In this type of surgery, you would be put to sleep with an intravenous sedative. After you are asleep, a breathing tube would be placed in your mouth to ensure that the airway is secure during the position changes necessary during the surgical body lift procedure.

Laser Guided Liposuction

2009-03-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

Laser Guided Liposuction is a type of body contouring surgery that uses laser energy in a significant portion of the process. Typically, this can be performed under local anesthesia, although the surgeon may elect for other types of anesthesia depending upon the extent of the case. As in other types of liposuction, a tumescent fluid is placed under the skin to anesthetize the area.

There are basically 3 steps to the process.

* The laser is used in the deep fat to break up the fat cell walls allowing the fatty oils to leak out, and disrupt the cells for subsequent removal. This deep layer also contains small blood vessels which the laser coagulates leading to less bruising post operatively.
* The laser is then used in the superficial layer, just under the skin to heat the skin cells in order to stimulate them to produce more collagen and elastin thereby enhancing the skin quality in the post treatment period.
* The final step is the removal of the cell fragments and oils and thus the final reduction in contour.

Am I A Good Candidate for Laser Liposuction?
Good candidates for Laser Guided Liposuction have excess fat in mild to moderate amounts, and may also have mild to moderate skin laxity. Skin starts loosing collagen and elastin from about age 35. Resultant skin laxity may not be conducive to liposuction alone. Other candidates may have superficial problems in the skin such as cellulite, dimpling, scarring from previous surgeries…all of which may be improved by this technique. Areas which can be treated are as follows:

* Abdomen
* Thighs
* Knees
* Arms
* Neck
* Face
* Male Breast Excess
* Back rolls

Although, Laser Guided Liposuction can treat these conditions and locations, it is ultimately the physicians choice as to if another type of liposuction would be more appropriate for a particular patient due to volume of fat, number of areas, or nature of the problem.

Results of Your Laser Liposuction
There are 2 aspects of improvement being observed after the procedure: reduction of fat and improvement in skin tightness. The tissue will appear smaller from the removal of fat fairly early. There will not be much visible change in the skin in the first month. This change, relying on the new production of collagen and elastin after laser guided liposuction, will start to increase in the second month and continue to improve for many months afterward.

Laser Liposuction Benefits/Advantages/ Options
The benefits of Laser Guided Liposuction are secondary to the small nature of the fiber (600 microns or less than 1 millimeter). This can reduce the trauma to the tissue during the laser guided liposuction procedure while still being able to get into superficial areas just under the skin. This enables such conditions as cellulite and skin dimpling to be effected. The advantages are:

* Small scars
* Possible reduced bruising
* Possible local anesthesia
* ability to improve superficial skin irregularities
* Skin Quality Enhancement
* Fat reduction
* Etching of abdominal contour

There are options to using Laser Guided Liposuction. These include:

* Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
* Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
* Tummy Tuck
* Neck or Face lift
* Fat injection into superficial contour problem areas
* Diet and Exercise

Laser Liposuction Risks / Complications / Patient Safety
Any surgical procedure is not without risk. The risks of Laser Guided Liposuction is similar to those of liposuction, namely,

* Contour irregularities
* Fluid collection (seroma)
* Infection
* Inadequate removal of fat
* Continued skin laxity
* Need for further surgery
* Blisters, burns
* Scarring

It is the latter 2 complications that can be associated with Laser Guided Liposuction more specifically since it used an energy source. This risk should be minimized by the surgeon constantly monitoring skin surface temperature to prevent the excessive rise in temperature. Much research has been done in Laser Guided Liposuction to elucidate the skin temperature tolerances and limits, yet while able to create the stimulation that is necessary for skin tightening.

Laser Liposuction Recovery Process
Due to the extensive nature of this process in many layers of the tissue, there will be skin swelling. A compression garment is used afterLaser Guided Liposuction to reduce such swelling. Also helpful is massage and other specific technologies that are used afterwards.

Normal activity can be resumed after 1-2 days. There may or may not be any stitches to be removed. Strenuous activity and sports are reserved for after 3 to 4 weeks after the Laser Guided Liposuction. After this time, wearing a garment is optional and the skin stimulation will be more evident over the next several months.

Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Liposuction

Do I need blood work?
Since this is a surgical procedure, pre-operative testing is often required in laser guided liposuction.

What type of Physician can perform Laser Guided Liposuction?
It is highly recommended that a surgeon with special expertise in liposuction techniques and their alternatives perform laser guided liposuction. Although a laser is used, it still is a surgical procedure requiring a high level of expertise such as a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Can Laser Liposuction be done in the Office?
Yes, it can be performed in a physician’s office, but in a specialty room set up for surgical procedures and NOT an exam room. There should be proper monitoring equipment of vital functions and the procedure should e performed sterilely.

What is the most common reason to NOT be considered a good candidate for Laser Liposuction?
Either there is too much fat to be removed or there are too many areas to be done at once. This problem can be overcome by splitting it up into 2 sessions or more if necessary.

Will Laser Liposuction Be Painful?
If local anesthesia is elected, there will be some discomfort while the numbing fluid is being placed. This process is fairly short, usually 5-10 minutes. Oral analgesics are taken prior to this part of the procedure to maximize comfort. Under sedation or general anesthesia, not much is felt during the procedure.

Afterwards, there is soreness in the treated areas lasting days to weeks depending upon the extent of the Laser Guided Liposuction and the number of sites treated. As swelling subsides, comfort resumes.

Will there be Scarring from Laser Liposuction?
There are two types of scarring to be considered in Laser Guided Liposuction. The actual incisions that are made and any scar tissue that forms under the skin form the process itself. Fortunately, due the extremely small nature of the canula ( the tube placed under the skin) and the laser fiber, surface incisions are among the smallest of any type of liposuction. Also, for the same reasons, there should be minimal disruption under the skin to cause significant scarring there as well.

What Are Some of The Typical Short Term Side Effects of Laser Liposuction?
Short term side effects of Laser Guided Liposuction include swelling confined to the superficial layer of the skin. This can last up to approximately one month. Also, there can be a delay in the ability to see an improvement in skin laxity, since the process does not tighten the skin immediately as some lasers do, but rather Laser Liposuction works through a process of stimulation of the fibroblast cells in the skin to over time manufacture more collagen and elastin which makes the skin plump and tight respectively.

Laser Liposuction Standard Procedure Techniques / Technology
There are basically 2 techniques of Laser Guided Liposuction. One technique is as described above with 3 steps: laser of the deep and superficial layers, followed by removal of fat, oils and cellular debris. The other technique of laser guided liposuction utilizes only the first 2 steps and allows the body to absorb the aforementioned components…this technique of laser guided liposuction is usually reserved for areas of very thin fat such as the face and neck or where skin tightening alone is all that is required such as:

* Facial skin
* Neck Skin
* Breast
* Areas of concomitant surgery
* Cellulite
* Excessive Sweating ( Hyperhidrosis)

What type of Anesthesia, if any, will be used for Laser Liposuction?
Typically, Laser Guided Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, although the surgeon may elect for other types of anesthesia depending upon the extent of the case. As in other types of liposuction, a tumescent fluid is placed under the skin to anesthetize
the area.

Other Considerations of Laser Liposuction
It has to be realized that there is a great variability in each individual candidate for Laser Guided Liposuction and results can vary. Typical considerations which can alter the results of Laser Liposuction include:

* Age of patient
* Skin sun damage
* Smoking
* Total lifetime Ultraviolet exposure
* Skin thickness
* Body part
* Underlying loose muscle (neck , abdomen)
* Degree of existing skin laxity
* Genetics
* Amount of energy applied to the skin

An Additional Consideration of Laser Liposuction
The last consideration of Laser Guided Liposuction is with respect to what you are getting in the procedure. In addition to the 3 steps mentioned above, the ultimate product you are receiving is energy from the Laser measured in Joules. These are a measure of the unit of laser light energy that is applied to the fat in the deep layer and to the skin in the superficial layer. When examining photos of Laser Guided Liposuction patients, feel free to ask how many Joules of energy was put into the area. Laser Guided Liposuction is a time consuming process if all steps are performed for maximal results.