Gifting Plastic Surgery? Yay! or Nay?

Clothing, iPad's, Smart Phones. These are things we expect to see on the wish lists of our friends and family. But, a face lift? Yep, it seems that cosmetic procedures have found their way into Santa's sack.

With this trend, though, comes a warning. While giving someone a pricey surgery can be considered kind and loving, it can also come with problematic implications. Because the choice is such a personal one, gifting a plastic surgery procedure can be interpreted as meddling and insulting. If you're thinking of bestowing a loved one with the gift of physical improvement this year, make sure it will be well-received.

Gift-Giver Beware

It wasn't so long ago that plastic surgery was a hush-hush topic; something that people did but didn't discuss. But with its rapid rise in popularity and the openness with which many celebrities discuss the work they've had, the stigma has been lifted. And with that lift, we've seen the fairly recent phenomenon of giving surgeries as gifts.

Presenting significant others and family members with cosmetic procedures has become increasingly common. And it's not unusual for people to use the holiday season as an excuse to pay for a loved one's surgery. This practice, however, can rub some people the wrong way.

Surprise Surgery

When it comes to buying someone else a surgery, the worst mistake is making it a surprise. For example, giving your girlfriend a gift certificate for a breast augmentation can cause offense if she didn't ask for it. It would be like giving someone a membership for a weight loss program; it sends an obvious message that you're unhappy with their appearance. What was meant to be a present is actually an insult.

There's really no right way to offer someone a surgery unexpectedly. If you give a certificate for a specific procedure, it's very clear that you're critical of that particular part of their body. And if you give an open-ended certificate to a plastic surgeon's office, it comes across as a general affront to their entire appearance. You might as well say, "I'd love you more if your body were different."

The Right Way

Giving the gift of surgery is less problematic when it's on the patient's wish list. If someone expressly asks for a surgery, then the gift can be considered extremely generous and thoughtful. If the asker isn't able to afford the procedure on their own, receiving it as a present can be a dream come true.

Before making a purchase, remember that the choice to have a plastic surgery is a very personal one that should be made without the influence of others' desires for your appearance. In fact, I make it a point to consult patients one-on-one so that I can hear what they want for themselves, rather than what a husband or friend might want for them.

Even in this case, though, there can be pitfalls. When someone other than the patient pays, that person may feel that they have a role in the decision. So, if you decide to leave a  rhinoplasty under the tree, make sure the recipient knows that the particulars are up to them.

The best possible scenario goes as follows: You are absolutely certain that someone wants a specific procedure as a gift. Instead of you choosing a surgeon and pre-paying, tell the recipient that the choice of Take Shape Plastic Surgery, PA is theirs. In a consultation, the surgeon will be able to fully inform the prospective patient about their options, the risks involved and the expected outcomes, as well as an accurate cost. Only after these preliminary steps, should the gift be considered.

There are certainly more conventional and less awkward gifts than that of a plastic surgery procedure. A present should never result in hurt feelings or compromise of one's own desires. But, if you're still thinking about wrapping up a surgery gift certificate, make sure it's for the right reasons.

Source: www.asps.com 

Take Shape Plastic Surgery offers 3D Imaging of Patients

When communicating with your Plastic Surgeon, you want to make sure that they understand the exact vision of yourself you want to see, especially when it comes to your final outcome. While many plastic surgeon's offices do their best to come close, Take Shape Plastic Surgery takes it a step further. We now do this, by 3D imaging each patients body or face. This allows for one of our skilled surgeons to edit with the patient their look on computer, and then bring their vision to life in the operating room.  

Take Shape uses the Axis Three, the gold standard is 3D patient Imaging. The Axis Three redefines the aesthetic consultation experience by providing precise, easy-to-use, 3D patient simulation tools that generate anatomically-accurate images.  While assisting surgeons in the planning process, ultimately, these tools enable patients to visualize in 3D, using their own bodies, how they will look after surgery. 

Axis Three products combine scientifically proven, Tissue Behavior Simulation (TBSTM) engine with patented Color Coded Triangulation (CCTTM), 3D imaging technology to deliver unprecedented patient confidence.  Take Shape Plastic Surgery is dedicated to understanding patient's needs and exceeding expectations.

10 Bodily Functions That Change With Age

Like it or not, some inevitable signs of aging are hearing loss (what?), memory lapses (who?), and increased Acid Reflux, thanks to the valve at the lower end of the esophagus that begins to relax on the job, allowing stomach acid to reflux, or flow backwards. Ouch. Inconvenient? Yes. But completely normal. Here are 10 bodily functions that change with age.

1. Eyes. "Can I have a light with that menu?" Once you reach age 40, you'll notice it's more difficult to focus on objects up close because of presbyopia -- a hardening of the lens inside your eye. When you first notice presbyopia you may be able to compensate by holding your reading material farther away or holding a light to it. Eventually you will need reading glasses, multifocal contact lenses, or multifocal eyeglasses.

2. Ears. "Say what?" Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is the slow loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. Tiny hairs inside your ear help you hear and hearing loss occurs when the tiny hairs inside the ear are damaged or die. About half of all people over age 75 have some amount of age-related hearing loss.

3. Sclera. The whites, well the "off whites" of your eyes. The color of the sclera changes with age from bluish (in babies) to yellowish. This is likely because of accumulation of fat in the scleral tissue.

4. Skin, especially on the neck. Wrinkles on the neck show your age, no matter how many creams you've slathered on; the neck contains thinner skin, which is more sensitive to sun damage. The muscles and skin tissue supporting the neck area are also weaker, making neck skin more vulnerable to gravity over time.

5. Knees and Hips. Degenerative joint disease affects up to 80 percent of the elderly and can be debilitating. The only good news here is that some people who have knee and hip arthritis won't have any symptoms. Oh, and there is also the option of knee and hip replacement.

6. Talk to the thumb. Arthritis of the thumb occurs at the joint found at the base of the thumb, where the thumb meets the wrist. This joint, the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is important when trying to grip or pinch. Thumb arthritis is more common in women than men, and increases in frequency over the age of 40 years. Anti-inflammatories, splints and cortisone injections may help, and surgery only as a last resort.

7. Memory. "What was his name again?" Normal age-related memory loss doesn't prevent you from living a full and productive life. You might misplace your glasses or find that you need to make lists more often than in the past in order to remember appointments or tasks. That, my friends, is "normal" with aging.

8. The breasts. In your 50s and 60s, hormonal changes will cause the amount of fat in your breasts to decline, which will shrink your breasts. As women go through menopause, fat will replace most of the breast tissue and cause the breast to lose elasticity.

9. The valve at the end of your esophagus. "Why can't I eat Thai food anymore?" Reflux disease (GERD) is more common once you reach middle age and causes heartburn with spicy foods. As mentioned, the valve designed to keep acid in the stomach lets it flow backward, causing the pain and burning sensation you feel as the acid comes into contact with the delicate lining of the esophagus.

10. The pelvic floor. Ladies, do your Kegels. The pelvic floor is the muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum, and it starts to fail as we get older. Symptoms include problems with urinary incontinence, and prolapse of the bladder or uterus. Counter these symptoms with Kegels.

5 Reasons Breast Augmentation is The Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedure

For the past seven years, breast augmentation has dominated the charts as the number one cosmetic procedure since 2006 and has averaged around 300,000 patients each year. How does the procedure continue to be this popular each and every year?

Reason #1 Breast Augmentation Satisfaction Ratings Are Through the Roof

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently published a study in which 98% of women surveyed had said that their augmentation results met or exceeded their expectations. Another 90% of the women surveyed also reported an increase in their self-esteem. This trend has been consistent with other surveys as breast augmentation continues to achieve high patient reviews. The procedure has even been linked to other benefits including an improved sex life. All of these positive results and reviews continue to spark new interest in other women.

Reason #2 The Procedure Does Not Take Long or Require a Lengthy Recovery

A breast augmentation usually takes just a couple hours and does not require an overnight stay at the hospital. There is little interference with daily life and depending on their occupation, most women return to work after just a few days spent recovering.

Reason #3 The Implants Have Been FDA Approved For Safety

Both saline and silicone gel implants have been approved by the FDA for breast augmentation after extensive studies on each. Because saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution, they are safe in case an implant ruptures. The new silicone gel implants have been created to not leak into the body if there is a rupture. Neither silicone nor saline implants have been tied to any major disease or breast cancer.

Reason #4 Breast Augmentation Results Last Long

Though implants are not intended to be lifelong, the results last for decades. There is typically no need to replace or adjust the implants at regular intervals and the implants have proven extremely durable.

Reason #5 A Woman Can Achieve the Results She Desires

With the wide variety of implants available, and now the addition of the new MemoryShape silicone gel implants, women are better able to achieve the personalized results that she desires. There are currently seven implants and three manufacturers that have been approved for use in the United States. Each implant then breaks down into several different sizes, shapes, and profiles. The diverse group of implants allows women to better customize the look that they want.

Prevent Aging with Simple Steps

Want to have skin that looks young and healthy well into middle age? Then you need to consider more than just the moisturizer you use and the SPF rating of your sunscreen - you also need to think about what's on your plate. It seems that every day, a new study comes out that profiles a food linked to anti-aging. It can be hard to keep up, but the Huffington Post recently compiled a list of some of the foods that have been linked to promoting health and beauty.

Have a drink

It's not just the foods we eat that can help us keep young, but also what we drink. According to the news source, pomegranates have recently been shown to slow down the oxidation of DNA - in case you're wondering, oxidation essentially means "wear and tear." Eating pomegranates can be messy and frustrating (all those little seeds!), but you can easily get your fill of the fruit by having a glass of pomegranate juice.

This may sound a bit hippie-dippy, but drinking green tea is also a good way to slow down the aging process. The drink is full of antioxidants, and on top of that, the nutrients it carries can help reduce chronic inflammation, which plays a part in diabetes and other illnesses. Drink up!

Know your colors

If you're standing in the produce aisle feeling confused about what foods you should pick up, keep an eye out for orange veggies. Carrots, pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes all fall into this category, and their color is no coincidence. Alpha-carotene is what gives these vegetables their hue, and it's also good for the body.

Don't forget about orange and other brightly colored fruits, as well. According to the news source, vitamin C has been proven to slow cell aging, which could help keep you young.

Is it too late?

These anti-aging food news items can be frustrating for those of us who have already begun to see signs of aging. Even if you stock up on green tea, carrots and pomegranates, you won't be able to eliminate wrinkles and other age-related skin blemishes without a bit of outside help. Fortunately, the world of aesthetic medicine has advanced to the point where it is now possible to turn back the hands of time and get rid of these unwanted attributes. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, dermal fillers, for example, can get rid of deep facial lines, while chemical peels and skin resurfacing can eliminate pigmentation problems, sun spots, minor facial scars and other skin woes.

Call 954.585.3800 for a FREE CONSULTATION

WWW.TAKESHAPE.INFO

Top 5 Least and Most Expensive Plastic Surgery Procedures

Dr. George Dreszer, Dr. Russell Sassani, and Dr. Christopher Low 

Have you ever wondered, what are the least expensive and the most expensive procedures that you can have done at a plastic surgeons office?

Top 5 Least-Expensive Plastic Surgery Procedures

1. Botox/Dysport/ Xeomin – (range represents average for various areas)
2. Correction of Split Earlobe(s)
3. Upper Eyelid Lift
4. Neck Liposuction
5. Chin Enlargement

Top 5 Most-Expensive Plastic Surgery Procedures

1. Breast Lift and Enlargement (Silicone)
2. Face-lift
3. Breast Lift and Enlargement (Saline)
4. Breast Reduction
5. Tummy Tuck 

What would you pick?

Call 954.585.3800 for a FREE CONSULTATION 

Male Pec Implants - Plastic Surgery For Men

Women aren't the only ones enjoying the benefits of body implants, men are also joining the club. One of the most popular implants are implants for the pectoral muscles.

Men have become increasingly interested in male chest enhancement. Some men are unable to achieve a defined chest area through exercise. Some men may have underdeveloped chest muscles due to a growth defect or injury. Therefore, they may decide to receive male pec implants as a way to achieve a defined contour.

Not only do male pec implants result in a defined shape, but they also result in increased self-esteem and confidence for men who may have, at one time, been embarrassed by their appearance.

During the initial consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your expectations and desired outcome. Your surgeon may also take photographs and give you specific instructions for the day of the surgery. He or she may also show you the different shapes and sizes of the implants. Your surgeon will help you pick out a shape and size that will fit naturally with your body shape. It is important for you to make your doctor aware of any past surgeries or procedures you've had or any current medical conditions you have. Your doctor will also want a list of current medications you are taking as he or she may alter or discontinue these before surgery. Your surgeon may also require you to stop smoking if you are a smoker since smoking can cause complications during and after surgery.

The surgery involves making an incision in the armpit. Through this incision, your surgeon will place the implant under the pectoral muscle. The incision is the closed. The implants are held in place by the chest muscles or by sutures that are visible through the skin. The surgery takes one to two hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery can take place in a hospital or outpatient surgery center and will depend on your doctor's personal preference.

Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to reduce discomfort after surgery. You will need to wear an elastic bandage to reduce swelling after surgery. You should expect to experience soreness and bruising which will subside within a week. While results of surgery are immediately visible, it can take up to six weeks to see full results as it can take this long for the swelling and bruising to completely disappear. You will need to avoid strenuous activity the first few weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume normal activity after a month.