Financing a “Mommy Makeovers”

November 20, 2009 at 7:24 pm (Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags:

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but some women will argue that the aftermath is not necessarily pleasant. Typical physical results of post-pregnancy include stretch marks, hanging breasts and weight gain. New mothers may also notice areas or “pockets” of fat in the lower abdomen that don’t go away with diet and exercise.

More and more women, especially those who choose to return to a professional work environment after pregnancy, want their bodies to return to the way they looked before pregnancy. Some opt for a trio of procedures known as the “Mommy Makeover.” This usually includes a breast augmentation, liposuction and abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck).

This may sound like a pricey leisure, but there are several affordable ways to go about financing a “Mommy Makeover,” including loans, saving, paying with a credit card and taking advantage of in-office credit that is provided by some surgeons. Some “Mommy Makeover” plans also include free touch up procedures. mommy makeover savannah ga

Loans
There are several different types of loan options available for financing plastic surgeries. These can be done through one’s own bank or by independent loan companies. One important thing to remember is to avoid loans with prepayment penalties. A prepayment penalty is a provision in a loan contract that states that in the event you pay the loan off entirely (without having paid a certain amount of interest) then you will have to pay a penalty.

Credit
Paying with a low-interest credit card is another way many women finance their “Mommy Makeovers.” Some women choose to open a new credit card (or raise the limit on an existing low-interest card) and pay a little each month.

Saving
Creating a savings account dedicated to the procedure before actually having it done is another option for those who decide they want to wait a while. Find out how much it will cost and when you would like to have the surgery. Then divide the cost by the amount of months and that’s how much you need to put away each month.

In-Office Credit
Some surgeons have in-office credit plans for patients who wish to finance plastic surgery. In some instances of in-office credit plans, patients can get several months with no interest charge to their account.

Plastic surgery has become very safe and routine, although it is important to shop around when looking for surgeons. With so many ways to finance your “Mommy Makeover,” don’t sacrifice quality for cost.

Check your surgeon’s references to make sure that he or she is reputable among former clients. At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in San Diego, breast augmentation is performed by their board-certified plastic surgeons more than virtually any other practice in the US. This is the skill and experience you want with a plastic surgeon near you.

Leave a Comment

Woman in Texas Fakes Cancer to Raise Money for Implants

November 19, 2009 at 8:04 pm (Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags:

Recently in the news, a woman in Texas conducted a shameless scam to raise money for breast implants.

Shaving her head to appear as if she were in the midst of chemotherapy, Trista Joy Lathern, publicized a benefit to raise money to treat her alleged breast cancer. She even convinced her husband that she did have cancer.

Announcing that she did not have insurance, there was a day long event at Waco’s Hog Creek Icehouse Saloon to support her fund raising efforts to pay for treatment. Some of her co-workers even donated vacation time so she could take time off work for her cancer treatments.

After collecting almost $10,000.00 from fund raising, Lathern had a breast augmentation surgery costing an estimated $6,800.00.

She visited a local plastic surgeon. The surgeon was aware of the recent benefit for her, and suspicion was raised to the local sheriff. Meanwhile, she visited a different plastic surgeon in another city and had the enhancement surgery.

Generous contributors feel duped, stunned and angry. Lathern was arrested, and her husband filed for an annulment and custody of their two young sons.

Leave a Comment

Choosing A Surgeon With Discounted Rates Can Prove Harmful

November 18, 2009 at 7:06 pm (Silicone Breast Implants)

Since plastic surgery is a popular and lucrative field of surgery, it is not surprising to see a lot of professionals offering discounted rates on cosmetic procedures in order to attract new clients. This is complicated by the fact that elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by major insurance providers.

Some health providers now offer insurance to those who opt for surgery with doctors who charge discounted rates. Here’s why going in for lowered rates on plastic surgery is not a good idea.

- Discounted rates attract the least qualified surgeons

Surgeons that are not qualified or board certified or do not have the requisite experience, find it difficult to attract patients to their practice. Few experienced and qualified surgeons are willing to give discounts. So when you choose a surgeon who offers discounts, you are actually settling for a professional who may not be qualified to perform the procedure you want. This can lead to unsatisfactory results and in the end you may end up shelling out a lot more of your own money for revision surgery.

- Low prices force surgeons to cut corners

When a doctor has to pay his bills and accept patients at a lower price, he is likely to cut down on costs in other ways that could be risky for his patients. He may go with an anesthetist or other professional who is not qualified or lacks sufficient experience. He may also be forced to cut back on the follow-up care and other essentials that make your recovery safe and easy. This can affect the safety of your procedure and put your life at significant risk.

Why you should opt for a board-certified plastic surgeon?

In order to be board-certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a licensed medical professional must undergo more than six years of training, including three years of specialization in plastic surgery techniques.

Besides this, a certified surgeon has to undergo a residency period and pass written and oral exams to prove his competence. He may also join professional associations to demonstrate his commitment to continuous medical education and hone his surgical skills to earn the respect of his peers by practicing at an accredited community hospital.

Many professionals will sub-specialize in a specific medical procedure, so if you want ear or nose reshaping surgery, you can choose a doctor who specializes in these procedures to make sure you get the best results. Other times when it’s best to choose a specialist, are when you want to opt for cutting-edge liposuction or endoscopic procedures that few other surgeons are trained in.

Since all this specialization takes a lot of time, effort and money to complete, board-certified surgeons charge more than licensed medical professionals for their procedures. However, with a certified professional, you also have the guarantee that they are trained in specific plastic and reconstructive procedures, techniques to aid wound healing and recovery, and minimize complications.

This expertise can enhance your experience of surgery and recovery and give you much better results overall. When you select a board certified surgeon over one who offers discounts you’ll find it’s worth it in terms of the peace of mind and superior results you can get. It’s not the wisest option to cut corners when it concerns your life, health and looks, or you could end up paying much more in the long run.

Leave a Comment

Saline Still More Popular than Silicone Implants

June 14, 2009 at 6:52 pm (Breast Augmentation, Breast Enhancement, Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags: ,

Contrary to all the buzz surrounding silicone  implants since their FDA re-approval in 2006, saline still seems to be king (or rather, queen) in the breast augmentation world. According to a survey published in this year’s March/April Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 60% of plastic surgeons still use saline implants, with most of them using them in 75% to 100% of their patients. Though silicone tends to look and feel more natural then saline, offering less rippling and “sloshing” as well, safety fears may still affect the implant choice made by surgeons and patients.

In 1992, silicone implants were taken off the market over fears they may be linked to cancer, lupus and other diseases. After 15 years of thorough testing, no conclusive evidence of these claims was found, and silicone implants were re-approved by the FDA for use in breast augmentation in women 22 or older.  Despite FDA approval, many women may still be attracted to saline as a more  natural alternative to silicone.  Saline (salt water) is a naturally occurring substance in the human body.

No matter what your breast implant preference, you can have the implant you want.  Most plastic surgeons offer both saline and silicone, and can provide information on the safety and aesthetic benefits of each.

For more information about breast augmentation, St. Louis plastic surgeon Dr. Rottler offers great information on his website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Leave a Comment

Houston breast augmentation before and after

June 11, 2009 at 1:30 am (Breast Augmentation, Breast Enhancement)

Houston breast augmentation before and after

Houston breast augmentation before and after

Courtesy Dr. Bob Basu, Houston breast augmentation patient’s before and after image.  Before and after images help patients’ during the decision making process.

Leave a Comment

New Saline Implants– Will They Look as Natural as Silicone Gel?

June 1, 2009 at 7:13 pm (Breast Augmentation, Breast Enhancement, Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags: ,

A clinical study of a new saline implant is currently being conducted in select locations throughout the country. This new implant, called the IDEAL IMPLANT®, was designed to offer the safety of saline combined with the aesthetic benefits of silicone gel. The newly developed IDEAL IMPLANT® is filled completely with saline, a naturally occurring substance in the human body, but uses multiple silicone shells to reduce the sloshing effect which commonly occurs with traditional saline implants.  Wrinkling, another aesthetic drawback of traditional saline implants, is addressed by the new implant as well, with a a design which is said to conform better with the chest wall.

This improved saline implant could fill a much needed gap in the world of breast augmentation. Though silicone gel implants have been FDA approved for use in breast enhancement since 2006, and tend to offer a better aesthetic result than traditional saline implants, a recent study conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery shows that saline implants are still used in the majority of breast augmentations.  These results indicate that safety issues associated with silicone implants still affect implant choice for both surgeons and patients.

The IDEAL IMPLANT® is currently being tested in 500 women in Texas, Florida and California. Until more studies are completed, however, traditional saline and silicone gel implants are still the available options.

For those considering breast augmentation, Seattle plastic surgeons at The Gallery for Costmetic Surgery offer great information on their website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Leave a Comment

Plastic Surgery as Hiring Incentive?

May 26, 2009 at 8:50 pm (Breast Augmentation, Plastic Surgery, Weird, Women)
Tags:

Recently, health centers in Prauge have solved their staffing issues by promising plastic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation and liposuction as  hiring bonuses to  nurses. The Czech Republic is currently experiencing an extensive nursing shortage, causing some health care companies to get creative with their incentives.

Both private clinics and hospitals are losing nursing staff to neighboring countries due to low wages and a low public perception of nursing left over from days gone by.  According to a recent article in the New York Times, nurses in the Czech republic often make less than bus drivers and are commonly judged on their appearance as much as their clinical skills. A spokeswoman of the Czech Nurses Association said in the article, “The problem is that the public still perceives nurses as they were represented in communist-era television shows: as low-level workers who emptied bed pans and cleaned hospital rooms.” One nurse claimed to have been asked to walk in a straight line, as though on a catwalk, in a recent interview for a nursing position.

Plastic surgery isn’t the only incentive being offered to lure nursing staff by health institiutions in the Czech Republic. German lessons, extra vacation time, childcare and automobiles are other bonuses nurses can choose. The plastic surgery option, however, is proving to be a popular, yet controversial one. 10 out of 50 nurses at one clinic chose the plastic surgery option over other incentives. Some say the offer is no different than other incentives, such as  vacations or cars. But others, such as gender studies expert Jirina Siklova disagree, saying health institutions offering plastic surgery as an incentive lose all credibility.

Though the nursing crunch is a global issue, being experienced throughout Europe and the United States, Prauge seems to be the only city, as of yet, offering breast augmentation and liposuction as a hiring bonus to nurses.

For those considering plastic surgery, such as liposuction, eyelid surgery or breast augmentation, San Jose plastic surgeon Dr. Lowen offers great information on his website. Or, to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area, consult plasticsurgery.org.

Leave a Comment

Board Certified Dermatologist offers Essential Services to Medical Spa

May 20, 2009 at 7:51 pm (Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags: ,

Recently, Acqua Blu Medical Spa & Plastic Surgery Center welcomed board certified dermatologist Dr. Ana Busquets to their team bringing top-notch skin care to their Pittsburgh area clients. Dr. Busquests offers both medical and cosmetic skincare services, including skin cancer screening and treatment, benign skin legion removal, mole evaluation, psoriasis and eczema treatment, as well as state-of-the-art adult and adolescent acne treatment. Pittsburgh area clients can also consult Dr. Busquets for  Botox, laser skin treatments, dermal fillers and other cosmetic needs.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are becoming increasingly popular in the cosmetic surgery industry, as more and more clients are looking to improve their appearance without the expense or downtime associated with surgery. Acqua Blu is one of the many state-of-the-art medical spas across the country who have stepped up to meet this demand.  And with the addition of Dr. Busquets to their team, Aqua Blu has expand the services offered at their medical spa. Pittsburgh area clients can undergo a range of dermatalogic and cosmetic treatments in a soothing, relaxing environment.

Leave a Comment

Improved Breast Cancer Detection for those with Implants

April 30, 2009 at 9:28 pm (Breast Augmentation, Silicone Breast Implants, breast cancer screening)
Tags:

We all know breast implants can hinder breast cancer screening, making many women apprehensive about undergoing breast augmentation. Though mammograms can be performed on augmented breasts, extra views are required and the results can be difficult to interpret. But, with new technology called Breast-Specific Gamma imaging, breast cancer screening may become more accurate, even in women with breast implants.

Unlike mammograms, which use tissue density to detect breast cancer, Gamma imaging is similar to an MRI and uses a radioactive tracing agent and a special camera to detect cancer cells.  This technology is not designed to replace mammograms, but to offer a clearer picture in instances where mammogram results are inconclusive. The technology is especially useful in those with a high cancer risk, women with breast scarring and women with breast implants. As an added perk, Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging is less painful than mammograms because breast compression is not needed.

For more information on breast cancer screening, contact the National Cancer Institute at cancer.gov. For those considering breast augmentation or such cosmetic procedures as  liposuction, eyelid surgery or tummy tuck, Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Ambe offers great information on his website.

Leave a Comment

Cosmetic Enhancement for a Harsh Job Market

April 29, 2009 at 9:21 pm (Silicone Breast Implants)
Tags: ,

According to a recent article in Reuters, more and more baby boomers are seeking cosmetic enhancement to stay competitive in today’s job market.  Though plastic surgeons are taking a hit during this economic downturn, they are seeing some new business from those who are looking for work. Though sagging eyelids, wrinkles and lax facial skin may seem like the last things to worry about in times like this, these job seekers may have good cause to worry.

The New York Times recently reported that individuals 45 years or older are remaining unemployed much longer than younger job seekers. According to the article, baby boomers make-up a disproportionate amount of those staying out of work for six months or longer.

Though some job seekers are opting for eyelid surgery or facelift procedures, others seek less expensive treatments with less downtime, such as dermal filler injections, botox, and mini “lunch time” facelifts.  Some plastic surgeons have even begun offering packages geared toward the busy, 40-plus job seeker.

For those who seek it, there are a range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, that can offer a more youthful look. For those considering  procedures such as Botox, laser skin resurfacing, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty, San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Roy Kim offers great information on his website. Or, you can consult plasticsurgery.org to find a board certified surgeon in your area.

Leave a Comment

« Older entries