A Closer Look at Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
Whether it is Colombia, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic, traveling across borders for surgery is known as “medical tourism”. As a practising physician and surgeon, I just don’t get it.
Cosmetic Surgery
The Dangers of Medical Tourism
Medical tourism refers to the practice of people leaving their own country to seek medical treatment abroad. Why are so many people pursuing plastic surgery overseas? Because it’s “cheaper” there. In the United States, insurance companies do not cover cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures, so people look for ways to cut costs. A breast augmentation surgery that typically costs $7,000 here can cost as little as $2,000 in India. However, cheaper doesn’t mean safer. Therefore, this article will outline the numerous complications and dangers associated with medical tourism. Risks of Medical Tourism: Plastic Surgery Here are some of the most… Read More
Cheap Plastic Surgery: When Too Good To Be True Is Too Good To Be True
A 33-year-old woman, who wanted to get a tummy tuck, decided to travel to the Dominican Republic instead of going to a plastic surgeon close to home. Why? Because plastic surgery treatments in the Dominican Republic cost a fraction of the price of similar procedures in the United States. Unfortunately, instead of a toned tummy, the woman ended up with a severe infection that ultimately resulted in her death. This case is not unique or rare. Medical experts, as well as the FDA, use this type of instance as a warning for Americans who go overseas for cheaper cosmetic surgery… Read More
Renee Zellweger, Humiliation, And Cosmetic Surgery: Dispelling The Stigma
America’s celebrity obsession is nothing new. Humans are a social species and celebrities seem to be at the top of the social hierarchy. They are objects of our devotion and we “ordinary people” worship them.
Vibration Liposuction: The Latest Lipo Game Changer
Liposuction remains one of the most popular things that I do. Whether as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a mommy makeover or tummy tuck, most patients want as much fat removed as possible. It still requires the right candidate, and I have written about the importance of good skin elasticity before removing fat and paradoxically it is still one of the most imprecise things that I do. Liposuction is without a doubt more of an art than a science. But there is a new game changer in both fat removal and fat replacement — vibration-assisted liposuction. We have… Read More
Planning To Have Cosmetic Surgery? Stop Smoking Now
We already know about the numerous negative effects that smoking can have on our health – cancer, birth defects, stroke, and more. But being a smoker who’s planning to have cosmetic surgery presents a whole new level of risks.
The Benefits Of Combining Cosmetic Surgery
Learn about the benefits of combining multiple cosmetic surgeries.
Pros and Cons of a Brazilian Butt Lift
In recent years, more women are beginning to embrace bigger butts. Leading that charge is the cosmetic surgical procedure – the Brazilian Butt Lift. And like every other cosmetic procedure, there are pros and cons, which we’ll explore in this post. The Brazilian Butt Lift is a Fan Favorite Without question, buttock augmentation with fat grafting continues to grow in popularity. There are many benefits to getting a Brazilian Butt Lift, which helps fuel its popularity. The procedure begins with liposuction. That is, taking fat from other parts of your body – typically your abdomen and the flanks – and… Read More
4 Tips to Best Prepare for Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
When it comes to your plastic surgery consultation, it’s important to come prepared. A successful consultation usually means that the certified surgeon and the patient both understand the desired results and the outcome that will follow. The surgeon will educate you about your options with the specific procedure and put your mind at ease before surgery. Here’s what you need to know: Do Your Research Especially when it comes to plastic surgery, it’s important you do your due diligence and research the procedure. If you’re looking specifically into breast or body procedures, be sure to wear the right clothes or… Read More
Tummy Tuck Philosophy
As many of you know, I do a lot of tummy tucks. It is one of my favorite surgeries because the goal is simple– try to make your patient feel normal again. While you may think repetition could get boring it is actually good for you, the patient. It has allowed an efficiency that translates into shorter operative times and consistent results. It has also allowed me to hone my tummy tuck thinking and improve upon it over the past two decades. Some of the themes of how I approach my patients are listed below. I hope they are helpful as you consider this… Read More
Post Plastic Surgery Emotions – A Patient’s Perspective
What follows below is a blog post that I can’t take credit for. A former patient has become a friend and wrote the words below. I am grateful to her for sharing a patient’s post-operative perspective, and I value her insights. As a plastic surgeon, I spend a great deal of time preparing my patients for their surgeries, but what happens at home postoperatively is in the realm of the patient, which I don’t get to see. My thanks for her perspective. If I can still learn from my patients, then I hope it will help you as well. What to expect emotionally… Read More
Temporary Rhinoplasty?
A number of people have seen us over the past few years asking about the liquid or temporary rhinoplasty. Popularized by a dermatologist in California, it is essentially a technique of using injectable fillers to alter the shape of the nose. If a patient has a bump on top of the nose the bump can be camouflaged by adding filler just above it. In some cases mild asymmetry can be improved. Eventually, fillers will reabsorb and the procedure will have to be repeated. I think it is a good option for people who are not ready to or healthy enough… Read More
Labiaplasty- reducing the size of the Labia
When I started performing Labiaplasty a number of years ago I had no idea how popular it would become. A patient once told me that she regretted not having had it done when she had her breast augmentation; she just didn’t know that I did it. Because of her I added a “while you’re at it” section to my D.C. breast webpage to point out surgeries that are commonly combined. Labial tissue comes in all shapes and sizes. Some have more, others less. Common concerns patients share with me include self-consciousness during sexual activity, difficulty wearing certain clothing or swimwear… Read More
The Pencil Test For Breasts
The internet says your breast is droopy if you can hold a pencil underneath it. As an experienced plastic surgeon, I disagree.
When Is the Best Time for Cosmetic Surgery?
The best time for cosmetic surgery is when you have the time and support to recover. Each operation that I perform has different timing in terms of average recovery. Things that require pulling or stretching of muscles like tummy tucks, for example, will need a longer recovery than skin tightening procedures such as breast lift. In addition, certain patients may require more time to recover than others, even if they have both had the same procedure. The Rules of Thumb While each patient is different, I offer some general rules of thumb: Plan Ahead If you want to enjoy your figure in the… Read More