Plastic Surgery Goes Mainstream by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

Plastic surgery has historically been viewed as an exclusive and costly service only the rich and famous could afford to pursue. Not anymore.

With even the most dramatic and promising cosmetic surgery procedures becoming safer, more common and far less complicated than ever as well as a growing inventory of options now available for financing, plastic surgery of all forms is becoming an increasingly popular life-enhancement choice for the middle class.

As a plastic surgeon in California I can say that our plastic surgery center in Beverly Hills is a good case in point. People in the entertainment industry seeking enhancement surgeries and other cosmetic reconstruction now share seats in our waiting room with mothers from the suburbs, college coeds and a growing number of men from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. At our center, we may have many clients from the entertainment industry, but we treat everybody like a celebrity.

There is a distinct demographic shift taking place today. Plastic surgery is becoming a growing phenomenon among the middle class because the perception that it is exclusively an option for rich white women is waning. We are seeing people from all walks of life seeking cosmetic surgery - people from a wide variety of age groups, ethnicities, family situations, and economic stations.

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery also offers our patients customized financing packages to cover individual procedures, such the "Rodeo Drive Mommy Makeover" a popular choice for large numbers of Latino women in their 20's and 30's. The mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck, breast lift and frequently a breast augmentation with a small breast implant. The procedure helps the moms get their body back to the way it was before they began having babies.

Financing surgery is becoming a popular option for those who do not have cash set aside. Others are socking money away for a variety of procedures, much as they would for any luxury item or family vacation. A lot of people save up for the surgery, and others chose to do financing. They are shifting their views on the expenses involved and see surgery as an important investment and first step toward an enhancement plan for the rest of their lives.

Part of the change comes because today's plastic surgery is performed using improved technology. This results in less expensive and safer procedures with less down time. So now people with responsibilities both at work and at home can take time out for procedures, removing plastic surgery from the exclusive provenance of the leisure class. We also are doing most cosmetic surgery procedures in outpatient surgery centers which greatly improves the ease and convenience of procedures when compared to those done in the hospital setting.


About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger, MD is a plastic surgeon in California and founder and medical director of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, which specializes in breast augmentation.

Plastic surgery for men correcting male breast enlargement by Clint Jhonson

Correcting male breast enlargement, a condition known as gynecomastia, has become the third most requested procedure of plastic surgery for men in the United States.

San Francisco plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott W. Mosser, reports a steady increase in male patients in the Bay Area seeking many plastic surgery procedures once performed only on women. As a result, plastic surgery for men will frequently include one of the following procedures. Liposuction for facial and body contouring leads the way, followed by rhinoplasty. Nevertheless, situated third in the demands and rising fast is the procedure to correct male breast enlargement, a condition much more prevalent than generally known.

Gynecomastia is a condition that is present to some degree in about a third of the male population. Gynecomastia is a term describing the condition itself, regardless of the nature of the cause leading to the development of such a problem. The condition may be pathological, physiological, or a side effect of taking certain drugs (for instance, various treatments including hormones). In any of the circumstances, patients feel uncomfortable about the way they look. Fortunately, correction is possible with male plastic surgery procedures.

Often a reason for embarrassment and concealment, male plastic surgery can achieve a life changing result in many cases. The feeling of discomfort related to your appearance will no longer burden you. A consultation with Dr. Scott W. Mosser, a Board-Certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery, could answer many of your questions and explain the types of male plastic surgery you may undergo for correcting this disorder. Dr. Mosser will examine the symptoms and together with you determine the possible causes of your gynecomastia. Then you can opt for the type of plastic surgery for men, which suits you best.

Three are three general approaches to correcting gynecomastia. The first procedure is liposuction . With such a procedure, the purpose is to remove excess fatty tissue that may be causing the overall uncomfortable feeling, and reshape the breast and chest area. The second male plastic surgery procedure is a combination of surgical incisions made around the nipples to remove excess glandular and fatty tissue plus liposuction of the surrounding area to reshape and sculpture the chest area.

The third procedure is surgical breast reduction achieved by surgical incisions made in the natural skin folds of the chest and around the nipples. This third option is a general recommendation in the cases where there has been extreme weight loss resulting in loose or sagging skin, and a repositioning of the nipples may be necessary to achieve an esthetic result.

The type of plastic surgery for men indicated depends on the type of tissue contributing to the male breast enlargement condition. This can include the following types: glandular tissue, which requires surgical removal of glandular tissue; fatty-glandular, which requires surgical removal of glandular tissue with or without removal of adjacent fat to give the best overall shape; simple fatty, which requires diet/exercise for weight loss, with auxiliary surgical removal of fatty tissue.

You will discuss with your surgeon the type of tissue at the basis of your breast enlargement condition and then decide on the best surgical procedure to approach. Remember that you need to be aware of your options and consult with a surgeon who is ready to answer all of your questions concerning such a procedure.


About the Author
Dr. Mosser performs male plastic surgery (male breast reduction procedures included) in several locations in San Francisco. You can register for plastic surgery for men at his office at 450 Sutter Street on Union Square, as well as at the California Pacific Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco.

Liposuction and Plastic Surgery Are You Confused? by Rebecca Knight

Some people may be confused about what liposuction and plastic surgery are. In many ways its like talking about the difference between a fruit and an apple. Liposuction is a form of plastic surgery. Many people think of plastic surgery as something to do with your face. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that can be done on many parts of the body from the knees all the way to your face. The confusion may also lie in the word plastic. If you look at Wikipedia "The word "plastic ' derives from the Greek work plastikos which means to mold or to shape." That is why plastic surgery encompasses much more than face lifts.

Liposuction and plastic surgery in general have much in common but specifically liposuction deals with removal of excess fat primarily away from the face. Plastic surgery is typically associated with nose jobs and face lifts. Both liposuction and plastic surgery are extremely expensive procedures. If you are considering liposuction or any of the other forms of plastic surgery that are out there you need to consider whether you are the best candidate for them. You don't want to throw your hard earned money at a procedure where you do not have a high chance of success. As a generality, liposuction and plastic surgery procedures are ideal for those in their 50s, are mildly overweight by approximately 10 pounds and don't have a great deal of wrinkles.

Liposuction is more successful with those who are not obese or extremely overweight. Removing more than 15 pounds is usually not considered safe and if you want to do this you will have to go back for multiple surgeries. Both liposuction and plastic surgery leave scars. A face lift will leave scars behind your ears and liposuction will leave them on the belly button and skin creases depending on what kind of liposuction you are having. In order to maximize your success before performing liposuction and plastic surgery ensure that you are physically fit. You will also have to follow strict guidelines depending on the cosmetic surgery involved. Know the facts beforehand to make sure you have the discipline and will to follow through on these or else the procedures will not produce the results you expect. Liposuction and plastic surgery also have similar cost challenges when it comes to being covered by medical insurance. Typically most procedures are not covered unless the problem you are trying to address is posing a health threat to you.

Cosmetic procedures typically take several months of recovery. Complications can develop but a lot of that depends on you. Follow the doctors instructions throughout the process. Make sure you research the specifics of the procedure you are considering whether it's liposuction or any other form of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery can be the road to a younger, slimmer, healthier you.


About the Author
Rebecca Knight is a writer for www.bestcosmeticprocedures.com where you can find more information on all types of cosmetic procedures.

Plastic Surgeons Offer an Innovative Approach to Rhinoplasty by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

The nose is the center of our face. As such, it always grabs the attention of those who look at us. Its appearance helps create our overall facial harmony. The nose also has an important functional component. It does our breathing. Its function is complex, and any alterations done to the nose can have profound effects on our ease of breathing.

Among plastic surgery procedures, rhinoplasty is perhaps the most challenging. This procedure is often called a nose job. Paying attention only to aesthetics can lead to problems with breathing following this plastic surgery procedure. Paying attention only to breath flow can compromise aesthetics. To best deal with these issues, our plastic surgeons work to overcome these potential difficulties by using their different perspectives to focus simultaneously on improving both appearance and function.

Because of its equal importance in appearance and breathing, our {a href=" http://www.rodeodriveplasticsurgery.com/aboutus.html"}plastic surgery Los Angeles specialists have developed The Rodeo Drive Breathe Easy Rhinoplasty. Our two plastic surgeons do all of our rhinoplasties as a team. We have different but complementary training and backgrounds that they apply to your rhinoplasty. This interdisciplinary approach provides you with the benefit of a broad perspective and skills during your evaluation and treatment. We give equal focus to the cosmetic and functional aspects of {a href=" http://www.rodeodriveplasticsurgery.com/nosesurgery-losangeles.html"}rhinoplasty in California.

During nose surgery, people sometimes want to remove the bump in their nose, make the nose more narrow, help with breathing, make the nose less crooked, or refine the tip. It is important that people communicate their concerns about their nose to the surgeon in order to obtain the best outcome.

The Rodeo Drive Breathe Easy Rhinoplasty is beneficial for all rhinoplasties, and that's why we always bring this approach to nose surgery. But in some cases, we believe it is especially useful. Some of these complex situations where our approach brings added benefit include ethnic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and rhinoplasty for men. These types of procedures can be especially challenging and this approach serves to help provide the best possible results from the {a href=" http://www.rodeodriverhinoplasty"}Los Angeles nose job.

The recovery from rhinoplasty varies for each person, just like for any plastic surgery procedure. Sometimes there will be some bruising for a week or so. We sometimes put packing in the nose for a few days, and you will have to breathe through your mouth during this period. You may have a plaster or silicone splint on your nose for about a week. Most people have very little discomfort following the procedure. Almost everyone tells us that the improvements in their appearance and function are well worth any short-term inconvenience!


About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger, MD is founder of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery Los Angeles. More information is available on {a href=" http://www.rodeodriveplasticsurgery.com/nosesurgery-losangeles.html"}rhinoplasty in California.

An Innovative Approach to Rhinoplasty and Nose Surgery by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

The nose is the center of our face. As such, it always grabs the attention of those who look at us. Its appearance helps create our overall facial harmony. The nose also has an important functional component. It does our breathing. Its function is complex, and any alterations done to the nose can have profound effects on our ease of breathing.

Among plastic surgery procedures, rhinoplasty is perhaps the most challenging. This procedure is often called a nose job. Paying attention only to aesthetics can lead to problems with breathing following this plastic surgery procedure. Paying attention only to breath flow can compromise aesthetics. To best deal with these issues, our plastic surgeons work to overcome these potential difficulties by using their different perspectives to focus simultaneously on improving both appearance and function.

Because of its equal importance in appearance and breathing, our {a href=" http://www.rodeodriveplasticsurgery.com"}plastic surgeon specialists have developed The Rodeo Drive Breathe Easy Rhinoplasty. Our two plastic surgeons do all of our rhinoplasties as a team. We have different but complementary training and backgrounds that they apply to your rhinoplasty. This interdisciplinary approach provides you with the benefit of a broad perspective and skills during your evaluation and treatment. We give equal focus to the cosmetic and functional aspects of {a href=" http://www.rodeodriverhinoplasty.com"}California rhinoplasty.

During nose surgery, people sometimes want to remove the bump in their nose, make the nose more narrow, help with breathing, make the nose less crooked, or refine the tip. It is important that people communicate their concerns about their nose to the surgeon in order to obtain the best outcome.

The Rodeo Drive Breathe Easy Rhinoplasty is beneficial for all rhinoplasties, and that's why we always bring this approach to nose surgery. But in some cases, we believe it is especially useful. Some of these complex situations where our approach brings added benefit include ethnic rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and rhinoplasty for men. These types of procedures can be especially challenging and this approach serves to help provide the best possible results.

The recovery from rhinoplasty varies for each person, just like for any plastic surgery procedure. Sometimes there will be some bruising for a week or so. We sometimes put packing in the nose for a few days, and you will have to breathe through your mouth during this period. You may have a plaster or silicone splint on your nose for about a week. Most people have very little discomfort following the procedure. Almost everyone tells us that the improvements in their appearance and function are well worth any short-term inconvenience!


About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger, MD is a plastic surgeon in California. More information is available on California rhinoplasty.

Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery by Alien

The merits of cosmetic surgery are one of the more debated subjects these days. Joining that debate, let's talk about the benefits of cosmetic surgery.

Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery

With its recent increase in popularity, it seems that everyone these days is getting plastic surgery. The most popular procedures - breast augmentation, facelifts and liposuction - all have something in common. All of these procedures seek to create a better look for the patient, as well as conforming to society's standards. Are these procedures really good for the client, or are they just a product of today's unrealistic ideals? Here are some of the benefits of cosmetic surgery that you might not have thought about.

The physical benefits of cosmetic surgery are very obvious to the eye. People who get plastic surgery show benefits that are immediately noticeable, even if at first they may not look beautiful due to swelling and bruising. For example, if a woman undergoes breast augmentation, her larger cup size will be seen right away, even if her breasts have scars or bruises. The same is true for rhinoplasty and most other types of plastic surgery - these physical benefits are right there.

But what about the emotional benefits of plastic surgery? These results can many times be greater than the physical rewards. If you have felt bad about the way you look, due to a flaw such as a nose that you feel is too large or wrinkles that make you feel old, plastic surgery can make you feel better about yourself. While some doctors and psychologists feel that plastic surgery is not the answer to poor self-esteem, if you feel that there is just one area that needs to be corrected on your body, it can be a solution to better emotional wellness.

There are risks to plastic surgery, which are the same risks that you'll find if you undergo any surgery. There's a risk of a reaction to the anesthesia, as well as a chance for infection or other post-surgery complications. Finally, you can be unhappy with the way that your surgery has turned out after healing; you may expect some results that are impossible due to your underlying structure, or your surgeon may not be able to complete the dramatic transformation you're hoping for.

Whether you're going under the knife for a surgery you've always wanted, or if you just want to erase some wrinkles and make yourself feel younger, the benefits of cosmetic surgery are obvious. Be sure to see a certified plastic surgery for any of your procedures, and think carefully about the results before undergoing any surgery.


About the Author
Alien writes for skin diseases . He also writes for skin care and beauty advice

Plastic Surgery in today's World by Paul Green

These days, plastic surgery is often much maligned, and while the apparent levity with which it is sometimes undertaken and its almost epidemic-type spread can seem rather worrying, the benefits of plastic surgery can easily be overlooked. Choosing to have plastic surgery on any area of your body is likely to be one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and should not be undertaken lightly. Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a "nose job", is one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery.

Although plastic surgery has always had a place in the medical profession, its position as a popular procedure is relatively recent. Impressive sounding surgeon's credentials or a plastic surgery procedure that does not name the surgeon may be listed as pitfalls of plastic surgery.
If you are considering plastic surgery to give you the edge in the workplace, or if you just want to look and feel better, contact a plastic surgeon near you. Both plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery are designed to improve the appearance of a person. As is the case with any surgical procedure, including plastic surgery, there are specific risks of infection and/or complications.

One option to turn back the clock is plastic surgery; it has certainly become mainstream and affordable but surgery has inherent risks such as anesthesia complications, loss of sensation, risk of infection and less than stellar results sometimes occur. Other pitfalls of plastic surgery are those offering dramatic results with superficial treatments, minimal or non-invasive procedures, no risk or little risk and downtime as well as a variety of products, procedures or manipulations without mention of the doctor's qualification, board certification or his/her specialty.
Before rushing off to have plastic surgery, it is vital that you evaluate different surgeons to find the right choice for your treatment. It's important to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, especially if you're planning on having your insurance company foot the bill for your procedure. This is why it is so important to choose the surgeon for your plastic surgery carefully.

Another important consideration you should carefully examine is your reason for plastic surgery. Last, but not least, cost is an important consideration when thinking about plastic surgery. The question of the location of your surgery probably never even occurred to you when you started thinking about having plastic surgery.

Regardless of whether or not you ultimately decide to have plastic surgery, it's very important to pick up all of the facts. Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct or reduce the effects of congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions. For many people who want to correct some of the signs of aging, but do not want an invasive plastic surgery, BOTOX® is a minimally invasive form of plastic surgery.
And while plastic surgery is not a bad thing in itself, it is still an invasive procedure as dangerous as any other type of surgery, and should not be undertaken lightly. Although Plastic Surgery goes as far back as Ancient Egypt the first physicians who actually placed a more scientific scope in the field of Plastic Surgery and, to be more precise, cosmetic surgery were two Sicilians Gustav and Antonio Branka .

If you have a little sense of adventure and wish to save thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery, Mexico might be the place for you. Although prices may cause a bit of sticker shock, plastic surgery costs have actually come down significantly over the last 15 years.
You can read more articles on Plastic Surgery at http://www.plasticsurgeondiaries.com

About the Author
An Author of many Talents.

Plastic Surgery for Men by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

Plastic surgery has undergone a change lately. When I first started surgery training 15 years ago, I met only a few men who wanted to go under the knife. Plastic surgery was the domain of young women working on their bodies, and women over 35 refreshing their faces. Men picked up their wives and girlfriends after the procedures. They stayed away from the operating room themselves.

Not anymore. Last year more than 1,000,000 men had plastic surgery procedures, according the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery. The number is growing: I see more and more men every month. Sports Illustrated now sits with Vogue in the magazine rack at our California plastic surgery center.

Men are turning to plastic surgery to feel better, look younger, and help with their careers. But just as men are from Mars and women are from Venus in relationships, so too are they different when it comes to plastic surgery. With the wrong procedures, or the right procedures done the wrong way, men wind up looking less like they did when they were in college -- and more like their college-aged daughters.

Where women tend to undergo lifts, men steer more toward reshaping and recontouring. Nationally, the top three surgical procedures for men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose work), and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Men are going for Botox and skin treatments as well.
Even in-shape guys have love handles that tend to scream "flab." These areas usually can be eliminated with liposuction. Likewise, many men I see complain of fullness in the chest (and I am not talking pecs here) that diminishes their masculine look. Liposuction provides excellent results here too. This surgery can help bring back the abs men had in college.

Liposuction often provides desired outcomes that often cannot be achieved at the gym. Localized fat deposits that are hard to exercise away stand as inviting targets for liposuction. I had one patient nickname my liposuction machine his "mechanical personal trainer." Results like this are improved still more as men head back to the gym after their procedures. The procedure can be especially useful for the male chest as well.

Like rings in a tree trunk, lines reveal our age. In men, they tend to develop around the eyes and forehead. When treated early, Botox smooths fine lines on the face. By weakening tiny facial muscles, it stops the constant pulling that leads to lines on the overlying skin. Though the results only last between three and six months, the changes look very impressive.
When fine lines around the eyes graduate to true wrinkles, eyelid surgery turns back the clock. By removing excess skin and fat of either the upper or lower eyelid, men look refreshed without changing their overall appearance.

Men have different goals from women in seeking plastic surgery. And their distinct anatomy means that simply offering the same procedure to men as women will leave men dissatisfied with the results.

Plastic surgery is no longer for women only. Men have great results, just like women. But their bodies, goals, and temperaments are different. So the correct procedures, done in the right way, need to be selected to give men the outcomes they're looking for.

Lloyd M. Krieger is a plastic surgeon and the founder and medical director of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. More information can be found at http://www.RodeoDrivePlasticSurgery.com and http://www.RDPS.com and http://www.RodeoDriveLiposuction.com

About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger is a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California and the founder of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery.

What's Better Than Plastic Surgery? by Michael Kimmel, LCSW

Better than plastic surgery
Joni Mitchell has a song, "Happiness is the best facelift", but curiosity is an equally effective anti-aging device. If you want to stay youthful and energetic, consider the role of curiosity in your life. As kids, many of us were not encouraged to be curious: "Remember, curiosity killed the cat", my grandma told me when I asked too many questions. At the time (age 5) I shut up and obeyed her, but I wish I had replied with, "But Grandma, I'll bet that cat had a fabulous 9 lives before he died."

Curiosity in the world
Curiosity is enthusiasm about your own life and that of others. It's about being out there in the world, not all wrapped up in your neurotic little self. Curiosity is questioning, wondering, and pondering. Reading can be a great way to experience curiosity: you can travel the world and meet the most bizarre and amazing people without leaving your sofa. Travel is another way to express your curiosity about the world. When you go to different places, you leave your comfort zone behind: new people, places, things and customs keep you alert and pose questions like: "Why do they do that?" or "What would I be like if I grew up here?" Curiosity in the world keeps us mentally expanding and growing...and youthful!

Curiosity about yourself
Besides wondering about others and how they live, it's mentally healthy to wonder about yourself. When you ask yourself questions like:

 Who am I really?  Who am I today?  Who did I used to be?  Who do I want to be in 5, 10 or 15 years?

You literally create new neural patterns in your brain that keep you younger, smarter and healthier. While there is a fine line between self-curiosity and self-obsession (hello narcissists!), it's hard to grow without periodic spells of self-examination (even Madonna said, "an unexamined life is not worth living" in her song lyrics), You can use self-help books, prayer, meditation, psychotherapy and even shopping to explore your curiosity about yourself. Yes, shopping! For example, when you go shopping, how do you define what's really "You"? Do you look at something and think, "I like that shirt/lamp/whatever, but that's just not 'me'." This is shopping as a form of self-definition. By saying "yes" or "no" to things you could wear/buy/have, you are asking yourself, "Who am I and what do I think is right for me?" So the next time you go shopping, consciously enjoy your curiosity. Let yourself be amused and perhaps even surprised at how you define yourself.

Passion: curiosity's best friend
I define passion as strong feelings or energy directed towards someone or something. There is a common misconception about passion, that it must be dramatic and over-the-top for it to count. This is bullshit. Passion can be as subtle as watching a spider spin a web at your cubicle at work or noticing the color of the tomato plants on your apartment balcony. We are all passionate beings. You may not think you are, but, dear reader, get over yourself. You may not yet be aware of your passion or expressing it (yet), but it's there.

Often I hear my clients say, "Oh, I wish I felt passionate about something...my life is just so boring." Even a statement like: "I just HATE my life! Everything sucks!" is hardly passion-less. There is passion there: thwarted passion. Thwarted passion kills: a little bit at a time, we die. Don't let this happen to you. Instead, look for little things that bring you joy, that make your heart beat just a little faster. Look at the people in your life in whose presence you feel most alive. Look at the animals and plants in your life whose presence you delight in. These are all sources of passion. Your passions will be uniquely your own...no one may understand why you love gardening and circuit parties. This is your passion and it only needs to fulfill you. If you can share it with friends or partners, great. But so much of our inner passions aren't easily shared. They're our own little happy secrets.

Discover your own passions
Here's a little exercise to get in touch with some of your passions. Sit in a nice relaxing spot, turn off the cell phone, get a piece of paper and pen and then ask yourself these questions:
 What do I care about?  What do I find interesting?  What would I like to know more about?  What have I long wanted to do/try/learn?

These are not easy questions, but they will stimulate the right side of your brain...the creative, inspiring side. Take your time and think about them. You may want to answer them now and put them aside, then look at them tomorrow and add to your answers. Let yourself free associate...there are no wrong answers! Let these questions help you identify your passions, those parts of your life that you are curious about and want to explore more. When you follow your curiosity, your life gets more vivid and energized. Curiosity leads to passion: curiosity is the process of investigation and passion is the experience that comes from acting on what you discover. If your life feels a bit dull and boring, try the above exercises and have fun playing with your curiosity and identifying some of your passions. Above all: enjoy the process.

About the Author
Michael Kimmel,LCSW, is an openly-gay psychotherapist with a private practice in San Diego, CA. Michael writes the "Wellness" column for San Diego's BUZZ magazine Contact Michael at GayFriendlyTherapists.com

Tips in Selecting a Qualified Plastic Surgeon by Sara Goldstein

Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly common among more men and women each year. Selecting a qualified plastic surgeon should be done in the exact same manner a surgeon would handle medical instruments: very carefully.

"One of the worst things a cosmetic surgery patient can do is select a plastic surgeon who lacks the knowledge or experience to provide the results the patient is looking for," says Dr. Mack Sullivan, a board certified plastic surgeon from The Centre, P.C. in Elkhart, Indiana.
With advances in plastic surgery techniques and the increased demand for cosmetic surgery, it is important to know how to identify highly skilled and highly qualified plastic surgeons. The most important factor in the surgery's success is the surgeon you choose. Some suggestions for making an informed decision include:

§ Find references. Consult some friends who've had a comparable procedure. Evaluate their experience with the surgeon. Each patient is unique. Likewise, each surgery is unique and results cannot be generalized. For a medical opinion, ask your family physician to recommend one or more qualified plastic surgeons. Calling a respected hospital in your community could not only give you additional names, but assure you that even if the surgeon has their own surgical facility, he or she maintains privileges at that specific hospital.

§ Do some homework. After gathering a list of plastic surgeons, begin to check their credentials. The physicians recommended to you might all be plastic surgeons, but knowing which certifications are more rigorous for a surgeon to attain could narrow your selection to include names of only the highest qualified. Although a physician's academic schooling is important, in your research it is more important to look for the type of training they received. If the surgeon has completed an accredited residency program in plastic surgery, then the surgeon received two or three years of intensive training in the full spectrum of both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

§ Board certification. A plastic surgeon can obtain board certification from a number of medical societies. It is imperative to know which board certifying societies to look for. A board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the most prestigious certification a plastic surgeon can achieve. To be eligible for certification by the ABPS, plastic surgeons not only need to graduate from an accredited medical school but complete at least five years of additional residency. To be certified, a physician must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams. Obtaining certification through some alternative boards may only require a monetary fee.

§ During the consultation. Bring any prewritten questions you may have regarding the procedure to your consultation. Discuss any pros or cons with the surgeon and prior successes and obstacles they experienced as a result of the surgery. Ask the doctor about his or her capabilities performing the procedure. Look through Befores and Afters with the surgeon during your consultation. Do not feel uncomfortable to verbally ask the surgeon of their qualifications and training as a plastic surgeon. You should get to know your plastic surgeon.

About the Author
The plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. are all board certified by the ABPS and maintain privileges at each hospital in the Michiana area. If you are interested in receiving more information on The Centre, P.C.'s plastic surgeons credentials and experience, contact The Centre, P.C. or schedule a complimentary cosmetic surgery consultation by calling (574) 296-9100.

Male Plastic Surgery: Specialized Techniques For Best Results by Lloyd Krieger

Plastic surgery has undergone a change lately. When I first started surgery training 15 years ago, I met only a few men who wanted to go under the knife. Plastic surgery was the domain of young women working on their bodies, and women over 35 refreshing their faces. Men picked up their wives and girlfriends after the procedures. They stayed away from the operating room themselves.

Not anymore. Last year more than 1,000,000 men had plastic surgery procedures, according the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery. The number is growing: I see more and more men every month. Sports Illustrated now sits with Vogue in the magazine rack at our California plastic surgery center.

Men are turning to plastic surgery to feel better, look younger, and help with their careers. But just as men are from Mars and women are from Venus in relationships, so too are they different when it comes to plastic surgery. With the wrong procedures, or the right procedures done the wrong way, men wind up looking less like they did when they were in college -- and more like their college-aged daughters.

Where women tend to undergo lifts, men steer more toward reshaping and recontouring. Nationally, the top three surgical procedures for men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose work), and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Men are going for Botox and skin treatments as well.
Even in-shape guys have love handles that tend to scream "flab." These areas usually can be eliminated with liposuction. Likewise, many men I see complain of fullness in the chest (and I am not talking pecs here) that diminishes their masculine look. Liposuction provides excellent results here too. This surgery can help bring back the abs men had in college.

Liposuction often provides desired outcomes that often cannot be achieved at the gym. Localized fat deposits that are hard to exercise away stand as inviting targets for liposuction. I had one patient nickname my liposuction machine his "mechanical personal trainer." Results like this are improved still more as men head back to the gym after their procedures. The procedure can be especially useful for the male chest as well.

Like rings in a tree trunk, lines reveal our age. In men, they tend to develop around the eyes and forehead. When treated early, Botox smooths fine lines on the face. By weakening tiny facial muscles, it stops the constant pulling that leads to lines on the overlying skin. Though the results only last between three and six months, the changes look very impressive.

When fine lines around the eyes graduate to true wrinkles, eyelid surgery turns back the clock. By removing excess skin and fat of either the upper or lower eyelid, men look refreshed without changing their overall appearance.

Men have different goals from women in seeking plastic surgery. And their distinct anatomy means that simply offering the same procedure to men as women will leave men dissatisfied with the results.

Plastic surgery is no longer for women only. Men have great results, just like women. But their bodies, goals, and temperaments are different. So the correct procedures, done in the right way, need to be selected to give men the outcomes they're looking for.

About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger is a plastic surgeon and founder of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. More information is available on California plastic surgery and plastic surgery in Los Angeles.

Men Flock to Plastic Surgery But Need Different Procedures and Techniques by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

Plastic surgery has undergone a change lately. When I first started training 15 years ago, I met only a few men who wanted to go under the knife. Plastic surgery was the domain of young women working on their bodies, and women over 35 refreshing their faces. Men picked up their wives and girlfriends after the procedures. They stayed away from the operating room themselves.

Not anymore. Last year more than 1,000,000 men had plastic surgery procedures, according the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery. The number is growing: I see more and more men every month. Sports Illustrated now sits with Vogue in our magazine rack.
Men are turning to plastic surgery to feel better, look younger, and help with their careers. But just as men are from Mars and women are from Venus in relationships, so too are they different when it comes to plastic surgery. With the wrong procedures, or the right procedures done the wrong way, men wind up looking less like they did when they were in college -- and more like their college-aged daughters.

Where women tend to undergo lifts, men steer more toward reshaping and recontouring. Nationally, the top three surgical procedures for men are liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose work), and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Men are going for Botox and skin treatments as well.
Even in-shape guys have love handles that tend to scream "flab." These areas usually can be eliminated with liposuction. Likewise, many men I see complain of fullness in the chest (and I am not talking pecs here) that diminishes their masculine look. Liposuction provides excellent results here too. This surgery can help bring back the abs men had in college.

Liposuction often provides desired outcomes that often cannot be achieved at the gym. Localized fat deposits that are hard to exercise away stand as inviting targets for liposuction. I had one patient nickname my liposuction machine his "mechanical personal trainer." Results like this are improved still more as men head back to the gym after their procedures.

Like rings in a tree trunk, lines reveal our age. In men, they tend to develop around the eyes and forehead. When treated early, Botox smooths fine lines on the face. By weakening tiny facial muscles, it stops the constant pulling that leads to lines on the overlying skin. Though the results only last between three and six months, the changes look very impressive.

When fine lines around the eyes graduate to true wrinkles, eyelid surgery turns back the clock. By removing excess skin and fat of either the upper or lower eyelid, men look refreshed without changing their overall appearance.

Men have different goals from women in seeking plastic surgery. And their distinct anatomy means that simply offering the same procedure to men as women will leave men dissatisfied with the results.

As a plastic surgeon, I have seen that plastic surgery is no longer for women only. Men have great results, just like women. But their bodies, goals, and temperaments are different. So the correct procedures, done in the right way, need to be selected to give men the outcomes they're looking for.

About the Author
Lloyd M. Krieger is a plastic surgeon and founder of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California. More information is available on this California plastic surgeon and plastic surgery in Los Angeles.