Crystal Ball Time for Cosmetic Surgery
By
Lois W. Stern  

The editors of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery predict that less will be more in 2009 as consumers consider cosmetic enhancements. The reason for this shift takes little pondering. Our current economic recession is already forcing us to make lifestyle changes. Many consumers are going to select less costly procedures such as injectables (muscle relaxers and fillers) in place of more costly and more invasive surgeries. Competition for the provision of these services will grow, inducing some of those less skilled, inexperienced and even unqualified providers to cut prices in order to lure new patients. Buyer beware: Always consider qualifications, professional training and experience before price.  

The Consumer Guide suggests that fat freezing (or cryolipolysis) may give liposuction a run for its money in the near future. This technology works by freezing fat cells and in turn breaking them down. It's in clinical trials now, and results look promising. This is one On the Horizon  technology that we should watch with interest. A second is a wrinkle relaxer cream - Botox in a new form that can be topically applied without needles. Third on their list is Latise, a topically applied drug for eyelash lengthening, approved by the FDA in December 2008 to promote longer, thicker and darker lashes.  

Let's continue with some breast enhancements. Next on their list are fat injections for breast augmentation . In 1982, the American Society for Plastic Surgery spoke against the use of fat injections for breast enhancement, but now they are reevaluating their prior stand. In 2008, a task force found that reshaping the breasts by injecting a woman's own fat works well for touch-ups after breast reconstruction, but it is not yet proven effective for cosmetic breast enhancement. Refinements to this technique are likely to continue in 2009.  

Cohesive gel breast implants, sometimes referred to as 'gummy-bear breast implants' are another innovation we are likely to hear more about in the future. Filled with cohesive silicone gel, these leak-resistant implants are used in Europe and Brazil and are being studied in the United States. Gummy bear implants have all the positive attributes of silicone gel, without the potential for gel migration in the event that the shell should weaken.

Lipodissolve is an experimental "fat-melting" technology that is being described as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. Also called mesotherapy, lipodissolve involves a series of medicated injections that may melt away unwanted small, localized areas of fat. To test these claims further, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has begun a scientific study of mesotherapy using standardized ingredients, to examine its safety and effectiveness in a controlled setting. Some results may be available in 2009.

This is just a sampling of cutting edge beauty enhancements for today with a few prediction for tomorrow. If you are curious and can't wait to learn more, be one of the first to read my newest book, Tick Tock, Stop the Clock: Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour.
www.ticktockstoptheclock.com

Also the author of Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery: Things You'll Never Learn From Your Plastic Surgeon  

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of only 2 doctors in the country Board Certified in both Dermatology and Psychiatry, and author of the fabulous new book from the Real Age experts, The Mind-Beauty Connection, 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin.

Dr. Wechsler beautifully ties together how important it is that we take care of not only our aging skin, but also our body, our mind, and our soul, that we fill our lives with meaning and purpose, that we see the beauty in each precious moment of life, whenever possible.  

And Dr. Wechsler gives us a delicious amount of beauty secrets from a no-nonsense, medical approach to  removing the glitz we see in packaging that promises youth but delivers a hugely unnecessary dent in our wallet.  

Repeat after me, "Beauty doesn't necessarily have to cost a lot of money, but neglecting ourselves will cost us a bundle."

I ask myself these days, how much does every new wrinkle actually cost me?  As I've watched my nasal pores grow to the size of moon craters, I quiver. Time to tighten, lighten, brighten, firm, and re-hydrate and my face alarm siren is going off.

Dr. Wechsler reminds us that Retin-A, retinol, topical C, all are our friends. Lasers are cool tools available today as never before? oh, and we can significantly improve our facial skin by applying the alphabet daily: A, C, D, and E. (Having had squamos and basal cell carcinomas, I take 800mg Vitamin D daily).

My skin feels like a baby's bum now. Dr. Wechsler's suggestion that I apply Safflower Oil has softened not only my facial skin but also my attitude. Right out of the pantry. Safflower oil. Go figure. It definitely provides a more youthful glow. Not to forget,  I added more fruits, green veggies, legumes, nuts, grains, and calcium-rich foods to my diet. Remember when mom soapboxed us telling us the virtues of such basic foods? That very advice is now rich with beauty secrets.

Today I had the delight to meet Dr. Travis Stork, host of The Doctors, the newest superb television show that's sweeping the nation and providing viewers with a remarkable amount of valuable, actually priceless, medical information on various topics of interest to any person over the age of 15. In today's world, finding highly credible information is basically easy with the internet, but adding the beauty of visual ? i.e., , with highly credentialed physicians, surgeons, etc. and you have this great TV show that can answer a lot of questions for a lot of us ? ACTURATELY. Remember my mantra, always check the credentials of any medical expert before you consider his or her advice, ever.

My connection with The Doctors?  In October, 2008, I interviewed Dr. Andrew Ordon, the head plastic surgeon starring on The Doctors and found him spot on with his delivery of the latest in plastic surgery information.  

Incorrectly associating?I interviewed Jen from The Bachelor, and from her other television show, The Bachelorette,  but realized today that it was Sarah who was Travis' love when he starred in The Bachelor.

What information do I really have to share this time? We best serve Life by making healthy living and choosing to live a beautiful life to be our personal daily commitment. And we best act with kindness to expect kindness in return. And in living in a state of happiness, we find true beauty and true radiance that emanates from within.  

Patty Kovacs
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What About Mommy Makeovers?
By
Lois W. Stern  

The Mommy Makeover topic is hot news these days. Why? What is a mommy makeover anyway? Is this a one-size-fits-all deal or can the mommy makeover be customized?  

What Happens to the Body During Pregnancy
Diet and exercise can't always correct that postpartum bulging belly. Abdominal skin becomes stretched during pregnancy and that skin doesn't always snap back after childbirth. In addition, those vertical abdominal muscles often separate during pregnancy or childbirth and become lax, causing the abdomen to further protrude. Breasts become engorged while pregnant and/or nursing, often sag after delivery or when breastfeeding ends, because the breast skin gets overstretched. Women frequently comment about "loving the motherly feeling" of their bodies while breastfeeding. Small-breasted women are normally thrilled by the added fullness to their breasts (often getting positive feedback from their partners as well!) But good things don't last forever, and those full, perky breasts begin to sag once breastfeeding concludes, with lax skin and less support when their breasts return to their pre-pregnancy size. Some women also lose breast volume as a result of pregnancy.  

What is a Mommy Makeover Anyway?
In the past a woman unhappy about the appearance of her sagging or flattened breasts would purchase a new style bra with better uplift or supplemental padding. A woman with loose skin or a protruding abdomen would girdle herself in or wear control top panty hose. Although these measures might very well have solved her problem when 'stepping out', she was still faced with a mirror reflection of her nude post-pregnancy body when stepping out of the shower. Now more moms are turning to Tummy Tucks, Smart Lipo, breast lifts and breast augmentations to remedy their appearance concerns.  

Why Do Mothers Suddenly Feel a Need For Mommy Makeovers?
In 2007, fifty-nine percent of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons members surveyed said that in the past three years they have seen a decided increase in patients seeking post-childbirth cosmetic surgery procedures. These makeovers worry some experts, concerned that the trend pathologizes a natural course of body changes. But Mommy Makeovers are really a logical extension of a culture that idolizes youth and fitness. The media bombard us with images of celebrity "hot mamas" who give birth on Tuesday and seem able to whip their post-pregnancy bodies back into shape by Saturday.  

But there is another issue involved. Many mothers today are not stay-at-home moms. They have professional and personal lives outside of the home and feel they need to look their best to compete in the job market.

We are fortunate to live in a country where we are entitled to form and express our own opinions, (but remember that sometimes our opinions change as we step into another person's shoes). Want to express yours?

Lois is the author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY (Things You'll Never Learn From Your Plastic Surgeon)
! [Link Removed] (www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com))!- a website filled with goodies just for you!

and her soon-to-be-published book:
TICK, TOCK, STOP THE CLOCK (Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour)
[Link Removed]  

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Your Bonus?  

Being Grateful Keeps 'Stress Maps' Off Your Face

By Patty Kovacs

The economy is turning down but you don't need your facial muscles to do so. With enormous perseverance and 'downsizing' our materialistic tendencies, we'll get through this. The pendulum always swings economically.  

Besides, repetitive worry and persistent negative talk don't help your appearance. Science is now revealing the many ways cortisol, that naughty stress juice, affects your skin, leading to aging wrinkles and dryness, leaving deeper lines in its path appearing through your system and well, on your face.  So what are we to do? After all, the stock market is pointing downward, very serious troubles are occurring to our 401k's and our economic stability. Worry creeps in and taps us on the shoulder, rendering its ugly self. All too often we feel like smacking someone who appears ridiculously upbeat. Like Goldie Hawn questioned in The First Wives' Club, "Is she on Prozac?"  

Here's a check list to see if stress and worry are silently creating wrinkles and having a cortisol party on your face:

Redness. Capillaries expand with increased blood flow. When we're stressed, a flushing or rosacea can occur, as also can a weakening of our immune system.  Red faced is not pretty but it's a red flag that you may be unconsciously stressed out.  See you doctor if a rash or serious redness seems to remain. In the meantime a regenerative night's sleep, every night, will help you. Turn off the TV and read an inspiring book or a delicious novel, something that takes you away to smile, relax, and feel as if life is a blend of struggle and sweetness, a mixture of sweet and sour.

Dryness. Too starchy a feel on your face? As I mentioned cortisol is meant to warn us of danger. Only we overuse it and let it free fall throughout our system if we remain in a chronic state of worry. Cortisol will decrease our skin's strength and the skin's ability to hold moisture; thus, luminosity, and that overall radiant look that moisture helps create will disappear from our face. A wonderful facial lubricant right in our kitchen cupboard is safflower oil according to Dr. Amy Wechsler, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection and partner with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen of Real Age.

Fine lines. Cortisol increases blood sugar via glycation, a process that damages collagen and elastin, the protein fibers that plump up our skin and keep it smooth and beautiful. Anger, frustration, depression, worry, and disappointment exist in all of us. But if they become habitual modes of thinking, they become the enemy that help age our face just as much as gravity, sun, or father time. Continuous muscle tension 'sets' in wrinkles and forms map lines of worry on our face. We all know topical A, C, and E can help us. And according to Dr. Michael Roizen, author of YOU, Being Beautiful ,( whom I again have the privilege of interviewing on Monday, December 1, on my radio show, The Health and Beauty Revolution Show,) additional help comes from licorice extract in our facial creams.

Sallow Eyes. We're creatures of habit. If our habit is worry, it will make sure and wake us at nigh so we can come out and play, er, worry, that is. Then we end up with dark, tired eyes, puffy or even sallow eyes and look and often feel tired.  Meditation, relaxation, making trust and calm our thought pattern, all ward off the worry bugs and they have no chance to penetrate our shield of living life fully.

Conscientiously initiating a calmer reaction to problems, worries, and concerns about life will indeed serve our bodies internally and externally. How many cardiologists would agree that worry and stress wear down our heart? Or that circulation is affected by the domino effects of chronic stress? Our face is almost a tattle tale of our thoughts.
Teeth grinding, tongue thrusting, jaw clenching, scowling, frowning, 'marionette lines' are not good friends to keep around. Knitted brows, tightened mouths, disappointed, negative thoughts will show on a face.

Think of the good things, the blessings you have in your life. Think loving, abundant thoughts. Consider your challenges as part of the journey towards a stronger you.  

Take progressively better care of yourself, and remember, it takes 3 days to change a habit, 30 days to set a habit, and 60 days to make it indigenous to your nature. Vow to make gratitude and optimism your way of life. Discipline yourself. It isn't always easy, but it's so worth it.

Be kind to yourself as you create a new YOU. Turn not only your life around, but also your looks.

And?be sure to tune into The Health & Beauty Revolution Show ~ Mondays, 10-11 a.m. pacific time.   [Link Removed]
Dr. Mehmet Oz, author of YOU, Being Beautiful,  Monday, December 1.

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As the field of cosmetic surgery becomes increasingly competitive, the challenge to find competent, ethical plastic surgeons increases as well. This same need applies to every medical discipline, but the stakes grow increasingly higher as treatments become more invasive. Think about it for a moment. If you are duped into purchasing an astronomically priced miracle-in-a-jar product that does not deliver as promised, the damage normally is contained to your pocketbook, not to your skin. But if you follow in the steps of one celebrity who recently allowed a practitioner to inject auto mechanic-grade silicone into her face (earning himself the nickname "Dr. Jiffy Lube"), your face could be left permanently distorted by a silicone filler that remains in place and is very difficult to extract.  

I asked Dr. Alan Gold, (2008-2009 president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery [ASAPS], and the 2007-2008 president of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF ), if he would be willing to share a few of his thoughts. Could he add any words of wisdom to help prospective patients and clients make wise choices? He responded with great generosity of spirit and thought.  

     "Plastic surgery?.or more accurately, well-performed    

     plastic surgery?.can have a dramatic and very positive  

     impact on your life. It of course won't change who you  

     truly are, and can't guarantee success in life or love  

     ?.however it can unquestionably change not only your  

     appearance but your self-image, your self-confidence,  

     and how you are perceived by, interact with, and    

     relate to others.  In this book (refering to my soon-

     to-be-published book, Tick,Tock, Stop the Clock ), as  

     well as in Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, the author  

     has presented an accurate overview of an exciting  

     specialty and what it has to offer, along with some  

     significant caveats to help you approach plastic  

     surgery and choose your surgeon wisely. I do, however,  

     have several other issues for you to consider."

Dr. Gold and I discussed the dangerous trend of the commercialization and commoditization of medicine. Consumers need to understand that plastic surgery is a unique mixture of both art and science and that a facelift or other cosmetic procedure performed by one surgeon could easily yield very different results as one performed by another. We discussed the alarming growth of "medical tourism', a subject for a future article, but for now, let us focus on cosmetic surgery right here at home.

      " . . . Yet we see ever more common advertisements

      for clinics staffed by unidentified doctors with  

      unspecified or inflated or misleading credentials,  

      with treatments administered by sometimes poorly  

      trained and even non-medical personnel." We see  

      advertisements for proprietary technologies or  

      formulations, or techniques with cute or catchy names  

      being mass marketed in centers across the country by  

      physicians or business entities, often with the  

      implication that a consistent and ideal result can be  

      achieved by everyone in each of those centers."

Beware of the practitioner practicing without adequate training or credentials. Some are actually masquerading as board certified plastic surgeons through deceptively phrased certifications and/or bogus titled organization affiliations.  

     "Be suspect of advertising and public relations hype

      and a surgeon's self-aggrandizement in the media. You  

      must be an educated and discriminating patient and  

      carefully investigate the training, credentials, and  

      reputation of your potential surgeon. Speak to former  

      patients and other medical professionals in the  

      community, and ask to see examples of that surgeon's  

      work. And be sure that you can relate to the surgeon,

      and that s/he will be there for you if complications

      should arise."

I have become increasingly disturbed by some poor taste promotionals by selected surgeons including ads for "fashion show" type parties with contests and entertainment to create an image for the surgeon. I asked Dr. Gold to comment on this disturbing trend.  

     "Remember, ethical guidelines constrain only those who  

     are ethical to begin with, and while we in organized  

     plastic surgery can mandate codes of conduct for  

     members of our organization, we cannot mandate good  

     taste."

As a consumer, be aware of the type and tone of a surgeon's promotions, for they can often tell you a great deal about their character and approach to their patients.  

     "Be discerning as you view those ads and promotional  

     events. Always remember that the most important factor  

     in the success of your plastic surgical experience is  

     the surgeon you select?..so choose your surgeon    

     wisely."

Lois W. Stern
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY

Read Fab40's great review!
http://fabulously40.com/article/2541/SexLies-and-Cosmetic-Surgery E2 80%93-Things-You-ll-Never-Learn-From-Your-Plastic-Surgeon/

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Brow Beating

By Patty Kovacs

Our eyebrows indeed frame our face. Beautiful brows can add strength and definition not only to our eyes, but to our entire face, enhancing our appearance remarkably.   Take a look of some of the gorgeous movie icons and you'll see beautifully defined brows that make those classically beautiful faces so memorable. Greta? Ingrid? Sophia?  Arches through the ages remind us that our best brows are the ones we're born with.
We need to take care of our brows and going to a professional brow artist is the best way to get on a road to real brow beauty. But if you want to do some at-home maintenance, be careful and take a conservative brow plucking approach. I'll share some basic ideas.
First, if you take medication or use aggressive skincare with retinol, be ever so careful. Redness can occur. Some people prefer to pluck at night so skin can rest while you rest. And always best also not to self pluck just before an important event. For that, try to get to a professional artist. Pictures tell the story. Some of us need only take a look at our old prom photos just to see what brow nightmares can occur with a bad home brow job.
According to Sonja Reid, one of the four fabulous owners and Spa Director of the prestiguous Brow Lounge La Jolla,in ... where else? ... La Jolla, California,  having a professional brow shaping is the best way to establish a brow design that most compliments your face.  "It's really best to get a professional shaping with a well trained brow artist. Every artist here at Brow Lounge must continue regular, on-going training in shaping brows so always to provide the highest level service to our very discerning clients. We're about a classic, timeless look. Trendiness is not best when it comes to brows. And pencil thin brows rarely look good but are what we all too often see by non-professional brow shaping. Try to allow brows to grow in at least two weeks before a brow appointment." Reid explains. Sonja ought to know. Brow Lounge, formerly Anastasia Beverly Hills, has already expanded within its first year of operation. San Diegans are flocking to Brow Lounge La Jolla to get the best brow shapers in the city. www.browlounge.net
Back to ‘at-home’ rules:
Pluck eyebrows in bright, natural, good lighting if possible. When shaping your brows, your arch should line up with the outside of your iris.
Draw an imaginary line from the outside of your nose upwards to determine the inside of the brow and another line diagonal from the outside of your nose towards your temple to determine the end of the brow. Use a white eye pencil to mark if it helps.
Now repeat 3x before plucking: "Less is more."
Brush all your brow hairs with a brow brush back and forth in both directions to remove loose hairs and to prepare your brows. Next brush the hairs you want to keep in an upward direction and downward on the ones you wish to remove. Using a pair of quality slant edge tweezers (which grip hairs a bit more easily), pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers that obviously look like they're not part of the main brow. Best not to remove hairs from above your eyebrows. And remember again: be conservative. Over tweezing is regrettable. You can always take away more. Replacing the 'oops' gaps caused by over tweezed brows will require makeup until the hairs grow back.
Pluck each hair individually, very close to the root, working your pull in the direction of the growth. Ok, last time, I'll remind you - AOP - Avoid Over Plucking. Less is more. Just plucking a few hairs can make a huge difference in terms of opening up your eyes and making your face come alive.
To color and define your eyebrows choose quality brow tools. A brow powder or a brow pencil in a shade similar to your natural hair color is best to define your brows. Use a slanted brow brush and smudge. A stencil helps tremendously and should be part of your basic essentials.
If you use a brow pencil to add color, you should apply it in small, feathered strokes. Start at the inner corner and work it gently outwards. Then, blend, blend, blend the color softly with a brow brush.
To tame stray hairs, use a dab of hair gel or spray your brow brush with hair spray then comb through your brows to neaten them.
Keep in mind, no two brows are alike. Every person usually has something 'quirky' about one brow.
I highly recommend you continue professional brow shaping appointments whenever possible. A professional brow artist encourages a long-range, methodical approach towards brow plucking goals to help your brows best frame your eyes and your entire face in the most flattering way possible.

Remember, your eyes are the windows to your soul. Make your eyes beautifully framed with beautiful brows.  

Happy Browsing,

Patty

Patty can be heard LIVE every Monday on her radio show of over 6 years, The Health and Beauty Revolution Show on wsRadio.com. Listen to Board Certified and Certifiably Handsome, Dr. Will Kirby, from E Channel's Doctor 90210,  tell Patty about his new retinol endorsement.
www.wsRadio.com/HealthandBeautyRevolution