European regulations for cosmetic surgery to be introduced

British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons to Help Set Guidelines

London – After years of calling for tighter controls in cosmetic surgery in Britain, top UK surgeons are delighted to provide key input at a new committee in Brussels, so that Europe-wide standards can finally be introduced in this sector. The President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, has been invited to participate in the creation of these cutting-edge regulations.

The market of aesthetic procedures – known generally as cosmetic surgery, though it involves non-surgical treatments – has increased dramatically over the last years, including through the recession. The growing availability of travel, the Web and numerous financial payment facilities also mean that medical tourism in this area has also become a reality.

The CEN – the European Committee for Standardisation – has recently accepted the proposal from the Austrian Standards Institute (ASI) to create a new Project Committee, CEN/TC 403 “Project Committee- Aesthetic surgery services”, the aim of which is to elaborate European standards for aesthetic surgery services.  Other organisations involved include in this project include the Care Quality Commission, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

More than 17 million cosmetic procedures performed last year in USA

Chicago – A procedural survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery says more than 17 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009.

The total number of procedures from this first-time study far surpasses any number that has previously been reported in the U.S. This is the first nationwide survey of its kind done by the AACS. In addition to the annual polling of its own members, the AACS also surveyed random physicians across the country to find out who is performing cosmetic surgery procedures.

The total number of procedures performed by AACS members has increased by eight percent since 2008.

“The cosmetic surgery industry continues to grow at a rate many people never thought it would reach,” said AACS President Mark Berman, MD. “With the aging of the baby boomer generation, I don’t think we’ve come close to hitting the ceiling yet. That 17 million is only going to expand.”

Among AACS member practices, the biggest increase in invasive procedures in the last five years are in blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and rhinoplasty (nose). For less-invasive procedures, the biggest increase over that five-year period is in laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers.

For AACS members, rhinoplasty surgeries jumped from 12,460 in 2008 to 21,730 in 2009, a 74 percent increase. Facelifts were also up this year, from 20,478 in ’08 to 34,455 in ’09, a 44 percent spike.

“As the economy recovers slowly but surely, we are seeing patients come back and feel better about doing some things for themselves that maybe they’d been putting off for a while,” Berman said.

Feel free to contact us for more information about cosmetic surgery procedures in Argentina.

Nationwide Survey Shows Americans Oppose a Cosmetic Tax

$5.8 Billion Tax Targets Middle Class – Mostly Working Women

Arlington Heights, Ill. – A majority of Americans oppose the inclusion of a five percent tax on cosmetic medical procedures, according to a survey. Survey respondents oppose the cosmetic tax by a 52% – 43% margin.

According to the survey, a large majority of respondents, by a 64% – 34% margin, agree that the cosmetic medical procedures tax has no place in health care reform, since these procedures and treatments are not covered by health insurance and the tax will disproportionately impact middle class women.

“It is clear from these results that Americans disagree with this proposed tax,” said Michael McGuire, MD, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “Taxing medical procedures sets a dangerous precedent by inviting the Internal Revenue Service into the physician-patient relationship, and allowing the government to make decisions regarding medical necessity.”

The tax on cosmetic medical procedures was not included in any of the five health reform bills developed and debated in Senate and House Committees. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it is projected to raise approximately $5.8 billion over ten years toward the $856 billion price tag for the proposed Senate health reform bill. However, a similar tax in New Jersey has realized less than one-third of the anticipated revenue and an independent audit of the New Jersey system found that it took $3.39 in expenditures just to collect a single dollar in tax — making a cosmetic tax not only a bad idea but an unreliable way to fund health reform.

According to the survey, there is no significant difference between men and women in their opposition to the proposed tax. On the other hand, respondents over the age of 45 are much more likely to oppose the tax, with opposition increasing among older respondents.

The survey further demonstrates that, by a 49% – 30% margin, respondents were more likely to oppose the tax once informed that sixty percent of all people planning to have cosmetic medical procedures report a household income of between $30,000 and $90,000.

“These numbers confirm what ASPS has been saying all along, that many people mistakenly believe that this is a luxury tax,” Dr. McGuire said. “But in fact, it is a tax on the middle class — despite President Obama’s direct campaign promise not to raise taxes on this group of Americans.”

This survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation among a national probability sample of 1,014 adults comprising 506 men and 508 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing was completed during the period December 3-6, 2009.?

Source: ASPS

For more information about cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures do not hesitate to contact us.

’Tis the season for gifting cosmetic surgery

However, discuss procedure with recipient beforehand

Chicago – Maybe you’ve received eye-opening holiday gifts in the past such as new electronics, an exciting vacation or that car you have always craved. The gift of cosmetic surgery is not a new phenomenon, but many are going that route this holiday season as husbands and wives yearn for that perfect present to their loved one.

“It’s the season of giving and cosmetic surgery can fit into that category just as easily as some of the more traditional gifts out there,” said Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. “What better way to ring in the New Year than to get that procedure that you’ve always wanted? And if it’s a present to or from a loved one, that makes it all the better.”

According to a consumer survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, 46 percent of consumers say they would forego an expensive vacation or luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.

Surgery gift-giving does take some planning, as the procedures are often done before Christmas, so patients are either recovering or showing off their improved looks in time for their holiday gatherings. But make sure this is something you talk over with the surgery recipient beforehand, because surprising someone with cosmetic surgery is not recommended.

“There are a large number of people who really want cosmetic surgery, and they just need that little nudge or incentive to get it done,” said Dr. Mark Berman, AACS President- Elect. “Well, if you’re that spouse or significant other, just make sure you’ve discussed the idea in the past so it doesn’t come as a surprise.”

Source: cosmeticsurgery.org

For more information about cosmetic surgery please don’t hesitate to contact us.

American Academy Of Cosmetic Surgery Opposes Cosmetic Surgery Tax

Chicago, IL – As negotiators on Capitol Hill try to find ways to fund a health care overhaul, a 5% tax on cosmetic surgery has been introduced on Nov. 18 as part of the Senate’s proposed health reform bill, introduced by US Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery strongly opposes such taxes and urges legislators to consider the following points:

• A tax on elective cosmetic procedures is an unreliable, risky revenue source that has no proven record of raising projected revenues.
• The difficulty of defining elective vs. medically-necessary cosmetic surgery. There is a blurry line between what procedures are considered medically-necessary and those that are elective.
• Retention of highly-skilled physicians is at risk. Physicians face many challenges in operating their practices on a day-to-day basis. Turning them into tax-collectors is an additional burden on these doctors.
• Cosmetic surgery is not a specialty for only the wealthy or the vain. In fact, the median income for those electing to have cosmetic surgery is dropping.
• Despite the fact that more men are seeking cosmetic procedures than ever, the largest portion of patients are still working women, who would be unfairly targeted by such taxes.
• A large portion of those being taxed would be the baby-boomer generation. And as this age group continues to age, the more interest will be generated in cosmetic procedures. It is important to note that the age bracket are most likely to vote in elections is the same as those who are electing to have cosmetic procedures.

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Nearly 15-Million U.S. Working Women Considering Cosmetic Procedures

Faced with news of increasing layoffs, straining economic times, and a belief that hiring is based on looks, millions of American women are looking at cosmetic medical procedures to give them a competitive edge in the workplace. In a new telephone survey* compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) of 756 women between the ages of 18 and 64, many reveal cosmetic plastic surgery procedures now appear to be an important rung on the success ladder.

* 13 percent (more than 1 out of 10 of the 115-million working-age women) say they would consider having a cosmetic medical procedure specifically to make them more confident and more competitive in the job market.

* An astounding 3 percent (nearly 3.5-million working women) say they’ve already had a cosmetic procedure to increase their perceived value in the workplace.

* 73 percent (almost three out of four or, 84-million working women) believe, particularly in these challenging economic times, appearance and youthful looks play a part in getting hired, getting a promotion, or getting new clients.

* 80 percent (four out of five or 92-million working women) think having cosmetic medical procedures can boost a person’s confidence.

An Insurance Broker recently had a chemical peel and fat transfers from her abdomen to her face. “Time has given me the professional knowledge. But time can take away the youthful sparkle of my appearance if I let it. When you look good, you feel confident. That gives me a competitive edge and something my clients have come to expect from me,”.

ASPS Member Surgeon, MD performed Axelrod’s cosmetic procedures at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. He says “Not only do the women believe youthful looks help in the workplace…they’re acting on that belief.”

“Consumers need to remember that while cosmetic procedures might help them in the job market, they’re still medical procedures.”

Feel free to contact us for a free quotation with Doctor Roberto Martinez Rinaldi.

Source: ASPS

The United States economy its not in good shape.  That´s why so much of us  can´t get the cosmetic treatment we are needing and desire so deeply. The confidence that a plastic surgery often provides it´s something that everyone should be allowed to experiment as plastic surgeries are life changing medical experiences. It did change my life completely.

-J.M.  34, San Francisco, USA.  Patient of Sublimis

Learn more about our affordable plastic surgery procedures.

A recent CBS Study showed that Plastic Surgery procedures slowed down 30 percent in the end of 2008. The doctors who responded this questionnaire were 700 around the United States.

Sublimis is offering affordable plastic surgery procedures with the same standards found in the US.

For growing numbers of travelers, the lure of combining affordable medical care with attentive room service is a chief draw for packing a suitcase and boarding a plane as part of a new craze. Medical tourism, as the practice is known, is rapidly becoming the top choice for consumers who grapple with hefty medical bills.

Sublimis: Reputed quality service

• We pre-screen and audit our professionales and healthcare facilities.
• We orchestrate the entire medical tourism trip, schedule surgeries, buy airline tickets, reserve hotel rooms, and, yes, even plan exotic sightseeing tours or relaxing experiences for recovering patients.

No waiting lists

Medical tourists fly away because of long waiting times and overburdened health-care systems, and the real attraction is often simply price. Cosmetic surgery savings are impressive: A full facelift that would cost over $15,000 in the U.S. runs about five $ 3,000 in Argentina.

Sublimis Works with the best hospitals and physicians in Argentina

Hospitals and clinics that cater to international patients are among the best in the world, with many staffed by physicians trained at major medical centers in the United States and Europe

Medical tourism is fast becoming an established alternative to over-priced surgeries, lack of available local health services, and/or long wait times. Already, tens of thousands of patients worldwide have taken advantage of this new trend by safely going on life changing journeys to fulfill their cosmetic surgery dreams.

COSTS OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS IN ARGENTINA
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