- Baby boomers keep cosmetic procedures on the rise

- Facelifts, eyelid lifts among anti-aging surgeries up in 2009

Chicago – The baby boomer generation may be well into their 50s and 60s, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to concede their looks just yet. In fact, many “boomers” are determined to maintain their once-youthful appearance.

According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, anti-aging procedures such as facelifts and blepharoplasty (eyelid lifts) are on the rise. So are botox and fillers. The bottom line is that baby boomers are aging but they don’t want their looks to do the same.

Before and after blepharoplasty

“The baby boomers are getting older but they still feel young and they want to look that way too,” said AACS President Mark Berman, MD. “With anti-aging procedures, people tend to feel much better about themselves afterward.”

Facelifts rose 44 percent from 2008 to 2009 in procedures by AACS members, totaling 34,455 in ’09. Blepharoplasty procedures went up 42 percent, from 42,602 to 60,507. Similarly, non-invasive anti-aging procedures such as Botox (up 157 percent) and fillers (up 245 percent) rose exponentially.

In procedures performed by AACS members, the average age of facelift patients is 54.1 years. The average age for blepharoplasty is 52.3 years. In addition, the average age of patients receiving Botox is 46.6 and fillers is 46.8.

“I think this might come as a surprise to the public when they see just how many baby boomers are trying to slow down the aging process,” Berman said. “As a surgeon, these numbers aren’t surprising because we see older patients all the time.”

Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

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Statement regarding PIP implants warning from the MHRA

London – As the discovery that the substance inside a cut-price breast implant is not what had been tested initially to make its use legal, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, warns the public that choosing a provider solely on price can backfire.

As the French company behind PIP implants goes into liquidation, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS former President Douglas McGeorge says; “There have been questions about the safety and efficacy of these implants in the past – but as they were a ‘cheap’ option they may have proven popular with the commercial chains. Although it is unlikely that anyone’s health is in immediate danger, this must remind everyone that price should never be the sole consideration when choosing a cosmetic surgery provider.”

According to Nigel Mercer, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President; “Concerned patients should contact their surgeon to find out what implants they have. Only PIP implants are involved and as yet there is no evidence that the gel they contained is harmful and we understand that it will not leak into the body. ”

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is in close discussions with the French Regulatory Authority for Devices (AFSSAPS) as the product has now been taken off the market, and will be indicating if follow-up of patients is required.

Plastic Surgery 2009 news briefs

Cleavage Rejuvenation, Do-It-Yourself Lasers, Botox® Breast Lift – Hype or Reality?

Whether their effectiveness is fact or fiction, less invasive cosmetic procedures such as cleavage rejuvenation, do-it-yourself (DIY) cosmetic therapies, and using Botox® to “lift” the breasts are making headlines, but are they safe? Plastic surgeons will discuss if these, and more, are cutting edge new discoveries or just “buyer beware” marketing hype at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23 – 27, in Seattle. Cleavage rejuvenation involves injecting a non-allergenic filler into the cleavage to alleviate wrinkles. DYI cosmetic therapies include hair removal devices, lasers, even fillers that some patients are ordering off the Internet. With a Botox Breast Lift, the toxin is injected into the chest muscles, temporarily paralyzing them, and causing the back muscles to compensate. The patient, in turn, is forced to standup straighter, thereby creating a lifted appearance in the breasts. Plastic surgeons are concerned that these may be some of the procedures consumers are turning to in the weak economy. A new procedure called Awake-Breast Augmentation, where the patient is awake during surgery and gives feedback regarding her preferred size of implant, will be examined. Additionally, the latest information on cosmetic gynecology, laser liposuction, cellulite, new fillers such as Selphyl (being touted as a new blood-based injectable), and more will be discussed.

By the Numbers:

* More than 10.4 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures were performed in 2008, according to the ASPS.

* Laser hair removal (1 million procedures) was among the top 5 minimally-invasive procedures and more than 400,000 patients had laser skin resurfacing in 2008.

* Cosmetic breast procedures totaled nearly 400,000 procedures last year.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Hosts 78th Annual Meeting

Showcases Latest Research, Novel Procedures & Emerging Trends; Seattle, Oct. 23-27

Arlington Heights, Ill. – Whether in a quest for beauty or out of necessity, millions of Americans will have plastic surgery this year. To stay ahead of the demand, the hottest topics, technologies, and research will be presented at Plastic Surgery 2009, the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Oct. 23-27, in Seattle. The meeting, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, will be attended by more than 5,000 doctors, medical personnel and exhibitors in the field of plastic surgery.

“Plastic Surgery 2009 is the complete plastic surgery experience featuring the latest information on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery techniques,” said ASPS President John Canady, MD. “New discoveries on facial aging, novel uses for Botox® to treat chronic pain, concerns about do-it-yourself cosmetic treatments and more will be explored. Amazing reconstructive surgery breakthroughs that will one day allow U.S. soldiers with artificial limbs to feel sensation will be revealed.”

Opening Ceremonies
Keynote speaker and accomplished teacher, writer, and orator, Atul Gawande, MD, will discuss his unique perspective on the practice of medicine and healthcare reform, during Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The annual Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity awards honoring inspirational reconstructive plastic surgery patients who’ve overcome traumatic illness or injury will also be recognized for their courage and altruism.

Breast Reconstruction Art Exhibit
Created to raise awareness about the many forms of breast reconstruction, the Out of the Shadows…Into the Light art exhibit will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 – Tuesday, Oct. 27. The exhibit shares the stories of breast cancer patients, through plaster sculptures of their busts, representing various stages of breast cancer. The creator will discuss how she created art from tragedy.

Special Media Event
Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery is one of the most popular panels at Plastic Surgery 2009. For the first time, ASPS is bringing Hot Topics presentations straight to the media during its Hot Topics Overview/Webinar for the Media on Monday, Oct. 26, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. During this dynamic hour, journalists can get answers to questions regarding the latest technologies and procedures and engage in conversation with the experts.

Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall, open Saturday, Oct. 24 – Monday, Oct. 26, will showcase more than 300 companies, featuring products and devices including the latest breast implants, injectable wrinkle fighters, cosmetics/skin care, and body contouring technologies. This array of exhibitors will bring plastic surgeons up-to-date on cutting-edge products and technologies to better care for patients.

Closing Ceremonies
Closing Ceremonies on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. will feature recognized heart and lung transplant surgeon, the Honorable William H. Frist, MD, who will discuss the future of healthcare in America. He will present his vision of increased availability and affordability of quality healthcare.

Studies, panels, and courses presented at Plastic Surgery 2009 include:

* Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery
* Rejuvenation of the Upper Eyelid – Is Less Really More
* Breast Augmentation with Liposuctioned Fat: A Fifty Patient Study Over Five Years
* Achieving Predictable Outcomes in Buttock Rejuvenation
* Not All Facelifts Created Equal – New Ways to Reshape the Face
* Non-Surgical Rejuvenation – Lasers
* Facial Aging and the Mid-Facelift
* Five Year Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Migraine Headache
* Military Plastic Surgery – A Global Update
* The Efficacy of Botox in the Treatment of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
* Composite Tissue Allotransplantation (Face Transplants) – Have We Achieved Liftoff
* The Impact of Breast Reduction on Low Back Compressive Forces and Function
* Functional and Structural Repair of Peripheral Nerve Injury by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
* Breast Reconstruction Managing Flap Reconstruction
* Carcinoma and Hyperplasia in Breast Reduction Surgery: Increased Sampling Leads to Increased Detection
* Inter-Relationships of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Body Mass Indices in the Massive Weight Loss Population

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

Divorce, Antidepressants, or Weight Gain/Loss Can Add Years to Your Face

Your mother’s wrinkles or lack there of, may not be the best predictor of how you’ll age. In fact, a new study claims just the opposite. The study, involving identical twins, suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age. Results just published on the web-based version of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reveal that factors like divorce or the use of antidepressants are the real culprits that can wreak havoc on one’s face.

“A person’s heritage may initially dictate how they age – but if you introduce certain factors into your life, you will certainly age faster. Likewise, if you avoid those factors you can slow down the hands of time,” “In this study, we looked at identical twins because they are genetically programmed to age exactly the same, and in doing so we essentially discovered that, when it comes to your face, it is possible to cheat your biological clock.”

During the study, Dr. Guyuron and his colleagues obtained comprehensive questionnaires and digital images from 186 pairs of identical twins. The images were reviewed by an independent panel, which then recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings.

Results showed that twins who had been divorced appeared nearly 2 years older than their siblings who were married, single or even widowed. Antidepressant use was associated with a significantly older appearance and researchers also found that weight played a major factor too. In those sets of twins who were less than 40 years old, the heavier twin was perceived as being older, while in those groups over 40 years old, the heavier twin appeared younger.

“The presence of stress could be one of the common denominators in those twins who appeared older.” Additionally, researchers suspect that continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use, could account for sagging. And though they do not advocate gaining weight to look younger, researchers note that losing abnormal amounts of weight not only have harmful effects on a person’s health, but on their appearance, too.

“This research is important for two reasons,”. “First, we have discovered a number of new factors that contribute to aging and second, our findings put science behind the idea that volume replacement rejuvenates the face.”

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What Influences Women’s Opinions On Their Breast Surgery?

The six major factors that affect how happy a woman feels with the outcome of her breast surgery have been uncovered. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Women’s Health have determined that, as well as final breast appearance, there are five other major concerns that influence surgical satisfaction.

“Patient satisfaction with breast appearance was without doubt the key theme and is a salient factor in determining the success of breast surgery. However, other themes were also identified that related to the broadened notion of quality of life, including concepts such as physical, psychological and sexual well-being”.

The authors found that breast conditions and breast surgery impact women in the following six main areas: satisfaction with breasts; satisfaction with overall outcome; psychosocial well-being; sexual well-being; physical well-being; and satisfaction with the process of care. Although these six themes were common to women in all three groups, the importance ascribed to each was seen to vary by surgical group. According to Pusic, “While physical well-being was of only limited importance to breast augmentation patients (only a few reported pain and discomfort post-operatively), it was often the main motivation behind breast reduction surgery (patients reported substantial pain and activity limitations pre-operatively), and was often an issue for women following breast reconstruction”.

Pusic and her colleagues have used their framework to develop a new patient-reported outcome measure called the BREAST-Q©, which consists of three procedure-specific modules (Augmentation, Reconstruction and Reduction). The authors hope that their findings may be used to guide the development of patient education materials and facilitate shared medical decision-making. They conclude, “The combination of extensive detailed qualitative research and modern psychometric methods make it possible to measure constructs, such as patient satisfaction, in a more clinically meaningful and scientifically robust way than has ever been done in this patient group”.

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Source: BioMed Central Limited

Liposuction Turns 20

The evolution of liposuction will be discussed by leading experts at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), being held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center May 2-7, 2009. “Liposuction 20 Years Later: Precision in Shaping, Prevention and Correction of Contour Irregularities”

In the early 1970s, “suction-assisted lipectomy” (SAL), or lipoplasty (liposuction), first appeared in the peer-reviewed literature. Originally used to remove lipomas (fatty tumors) and fatty deposits in various reconstructive procedures, the procedure was soon found to have a much wider application as a cosmetic surgery technique. In 1989, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified suction lipoplasty systems for use in aesthetic body contouring.

Since that time, the demand for liposuction has grown significantly and, according to ASAPS statistics, it was the second most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in 2008, with 341,144 procedures performed. With such popularity, however, comes greater responsibility to patients in terms of safety and cosmetic outcomes.

The panel will discuss liposuction technologies that have appeared over the years, including ultrasound-assisted, laser-assisted, power-assisted, and VASER®-assisted liposuction methods, the POLICE (Pre & Post Liposuction Contour Equalization) technique, fat grafting for the correction of deformities, and others.

In addition, which technologies yield the best outcomes will be debated. Some plastic surgeons feel that the best liposuction results are obtained without the use of the latest technologies – particularly those technologies that aim to thermally or otherwise damage fat cells.

There is more to successful body contouring than advanced technology or surgical technique. An understanding of aesthetic body proportions can mean the difference between a svelte, womanly figure and a “boxy”, man-like appearance. And thorough documentation and analysis of deformities, for example – particularly through the patient’s perspective via refined photographic techniques – is instrumental in ensuring predictable and pleasing results.

Whatever advances lie ahead and debates that remain, it is important to note that, just as when the first lipoplasty systems for aesthetic contouring were approved twenty years ago, today’s lipoplasty technology is still secondary to the skill of the surgeon. Every surgery has risks, but selecting a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon helps to ensure both patient safety and satisfaction.

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Before and After photos