Benefits of Plastic Surgery in Today's Modern World

In today's world, increasing numbers of people are turning to plastic surgery for a solution to problems pertaining to their appearances. What was deemed to be unchangeable is now no longer the case. Most people are not satisfied with at least one part of their body or face. Through the skills of plastic surgeons, noses have been reshaped, tummies tucked in, breasts enlarged or reduced in size, signs of ageing softened, drooping skin tightened and lots more. The list of possibilities is virtually endless.

Successful plastic surgery does have many benefits. After all, a person only has one body to live with so any improvements made to it will certainly be beneficial. The great thing about plastic surgery is that its benefits can be physical and emotional, external and internal. Here are some of the main benefits of plastic surgery:

Firstly, there are definite health benefits. One example is breast reduction. When a woman's breasts are too large for her body frame, it may cause back pain and excessive strain on the neck and shoulders. In such cases, breast reduction through plastic surgery is just about the only answer. Certain breathing problems can be corrected by septo-rhinoplasty, the plastic surgery performed on the nose. The septum of the nose is straightened and reshaped into a new and desirable form. This new position enables a clearer passageway for breathing.

Secondly, there are clear emotional and psychological benefits. A breast cancer victim after a mastectomy may have breast reconstruction surgery. This serves to restore a sense of personal body image and confidence. It goes a long way towards helping such women eliminate the thinking that they have become 'deformed' as a result of breast cancer.

In addition to the benefits above, plastic surgery patients also gain:

1. A new sense of self-esteem.

"Appearance is the most public part of the Self. How you look introduces yourself." says Dr Charles Lee, Malaysian Plastic Surgeon based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia. Since the body is the only visible part of a person, your self-esteem is invariably linked to your body's appearance. If any part of it can be reshaped to appear more socially acceptable, this would definitely enhance the way you feel about yourself before others. This benefit would lead on to the next one.

2. The admiration of your friends.

Imagine the surprise of your friends when they see the 'new' you! The part of your body or face that used to draw attention for all the wrong reasons now draws admiration and affirmation.

3. The self-confidence that comes from a healthy and attractive body and face.

With better self-esteem comes greater self-confidence. And with self-confidence comes increased productivity in performance whether at work or at home. Thus, the benefits will go beyond you to affect others also.

4. Improved relationships with your partner and loved ones.

When you feel good about yourself, you send positive signals to those around you, especially your loved ones. This inevitably brings out the best in others towards you in turn.

5. You will never be shy about your body again.

Perhaps for the first time, you would be confident to go to the beach or swimming pool. You can have a body that you can be proud of. As a result, you will not be self-conscious of your appearance.

6. You can enjoy better health, proper weight loss and a slimmer body.

Once your body and facial features have been correctly shaped, all you have to do is maintain it as such. After the excess fat has been removed, keep it off. Once the body or face has been improved, care for it well. Without plastic surgery, it may take years to loose excess fat, develop good muscle tone and tighten the skin. In short, plastic surgery can be a short-cut to better health and fitness for you.

The increasing popularity of plastic surgery bears testament to its benefits. With the advancement of medical technology, plastic surgery would only become better, more affordable and best of all, more beneficial to everyone.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

Likely Candidates and Most Popular Types of Plastic Surgery

Society is entranced with the idea of perpetual youth and many see cosmetic plastic surgery as the key to that. Here are some statistics that are not at all surprising. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveals that approximately 11.5 million surgical and non-surgical procedures were done in 2005 in America alone. Out of these, the largest percentage (about 40%) was done on people in the 35-50 age group. Furthermore, above 90% of all forms of plastic surgery were performed on women.

When it comes to race, 80% of those who undergo cosmetic plastic surgery are white Caucasians. Hispanics made up 10% of clients, the largest minority group. Asians are lowest in number when it comes to going for such surgeries. All these indicate the increasing popularity and acceptance of it. But what kind of operations do people mostly go for?

Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure. More than 4 million procedures were performed in 2005 in the U.S. especially among the 35-50 age group. This is followed by breast augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and eyelid surgery particularly among the younger patients aged 19-34.

As for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, Botox injections ranked number one. Botox serves to temporarily paralyze the muscles of the face, making it impossible for the muscles to contract or tighten up and cause wrinkles to form. It is especially effective for crow's feet around the eyes and the mouth. The relaxing muscles allow the skin to lie flat thus reducing wrinkles in that particular area.

As medical science advances, there will inevitably be an ever expanding aging population as people's lifespan increases. This naturally results in more people wanting to look younger. Hence cosmetic injectibles such as Botox injections will continue to grow in popularity. The US Food and Drug Administration approval of CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast injections that do not require a prior allergy test (unlike Botox) has given people more options when it comes to injectibles. Other popular forms of non-surgical cosmetic procedures include laser hair removal, hyaluronic acid (Restylane), microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

With injections becoming increasingly common, there is a danger that people turn to doctors who are not suitably certified to administer such treatments. Herein lies the danger. One should not compromise on engaging only a Board-certified plastic surgeon to perform any type of cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, whether invasive or non-invasive and whether surgical or non-surgical.

It is said that 'When you look good, you feel good'. People of all races, age groups and gender are increasingly embracing it to improve their appearance. Whether you like it or not, this type of surgery is here to stay.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com - Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com - Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

How to Avoid Bad Plastic Surgery - Ten Precautionary Steps

Cosmetic plastic surgery can produce wonderful transformation in appearance that results in greater feelings of self worth and self confidence. However notwithstanding the obvious benefits, there is the possibility of surgeries not going the way you intended.

The good news is that there is much that you can do to avoid 'plastic surgery gone bad'. If you are thinking of going for it, here are some practical things you can do to ensure you do not experience any untoward incidences.

1. Ask if your doctor is registered on the country's National Specialist Register.

Plastic surgery is a specialist field that a normal general practitioner is not qualified to perform. Hence you must ensure that the surgeon is formally certified by the country's Ministry of Health. For example in Malaysia, surgeons should be certified by the Malaysian National Specialist Register or be a member of the Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and CranioMaxillofacial Surgeons. This ensures that the surgeon specializes in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, has years of cosmetic surgery training, undergone extensive examinations and established the necessary competence in the surgical specialty.

2. Verify that your Doctor specializes in the procedure you're seeking.

A plastic surgeon whose specialty is hand surgery may not be the best choice to give you a breast augmentation.

3. Your expectations should be realistic.

What you envisage your appearance to be like after the operation may very well be unattainable for legitimate reasons. Examine your personal motives and be realistic.

4. Make sure that your physical and emotional health is good.

A competent plastic surgeon would give you a thorough examination of your past and present physical health and check your emotional health and motives for wanting this procedure. As with any type of operation, this requirement is non-negotiable.

5. Stop smoking if you are a smoker.

Smoking causes vascular constriction which means the blood flow to the skin is restricted. This slows down healing considerably. Thus, smoking can lead to complications and poses a hindrance to achieving the desired result through plastic surgery. Even if you cannot quit for good, abstaining from smoking for two weeks before and after the procedure is a MUST.

6. Choose a well-equipped hospital for your surgery rather than a clinic.

Clinics may not have enough of the necessary equipment or personnel needed for any complications that may arise during surgery. A well-equipped Medical Center is advised.

7. Consult at least one more physician.

There is safety in numbers. Too many less-than-qualified physicians seek to entice patients in this field with their slick promises and cut-low rates. They can sound very convincing. Be wary and at the very least, ensure that they are Board Certified in plastic surgery.

8. Get pictures and testimonials.

Any experienced surgeon with a good track record will be able to show you pictures and testimonials of former patients. It would be a good idea to see if you can speak with ex-patients.

9. Be certain you understand the costs of cosmetic surgery.

A surgeon offering a cut-low rate may not be suitably qualified. If you are considering leaving the United States for cheaper operations, you need to check whether that country adheres to an acceptable standard of medical practice. And if so, you still need to calculate all costs including air fare, hotel, meals, etc.

Also, cosmetic plastic surgery is usually not covered by medical insurance, unless they are for health-related reasons. For those on a limited budget, it is important to think about whether paying for such procedures will leave you so financially strapped that the benefits you get out of it are not worth it.

10. Be aware of the risks of plastic surgery.

All surgeries carry risks. Among the risks are infections, reaction to medications, blood clots, respiratory difficulties etc. Plastic surgery is no different. A good surgeon will inform you of all these and tell you how to avoid or minimize such risks.

11. Simultaneous multiple surgical procedures are best advised by your surgeon.

The more complicated the procedure, the higher the risks. If such an operation is absolutely necessary, your surgeon will discuss it with you.

12. Make sure you adhere to ALL the post-surgery instructions given by your surgeon.

The operational procedure ends after the surgery but the follow-up procedure that happens after that is just as important. A thorough follow-up treatment will ensure the best results of the procedure. And this can only happen if you strictly follow your surgeon's post-operation instructions.

If you bear in mind all the above information, it will greatly increase your chances of having a wonderful new you and help you avoid a bad plastic surgery outcome.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

What are Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeries?

The term 'plastic surgery' most probably creates the idea of somehow using plastic substances in surgical procedures to remodel the shape or look of certain parts of the body. This could not be further from the truth. Contrary to the term, there is no plastic at all in such surgeries. The term 'plastic surgery' is taken from the Greek word 'plastikos' which means 'to mold or shape'.

Plastic surgery therefore is the surgical procedure where parts of the body or face are skillfully shaped by the surgeon. This type of procedure is reconstructive in nature. For someone who has congenital defects or suffered some form of disease or accident that has altered the shape or look of the body or face, plastic surgery is a way to correct the situation.

On the other hand, cosmetic surgery is performed solely to improve a person's outward physical appearance and self-esteem by correcting parts of the body or face that the patient is unhappy with. This type of procedure focuses on reducing lines and wrinkles in the face, removing body fat from a specific area, or lifting, supplementing or reducing a specific body feature such as the breasts.

Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by health insurance due to its elective nature. Plastic surgery on the other hand, is normally covered by health insurance provided it is endorsed by the doctor to be crucial to the patient's health and subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. However it is still important to discuss the planned procedure with your health insurance provider before going for the operation.

Sometimes there can be a fine line differentiating plastic from cosmetic surgery. Certain procedures can be categorized under both types. For example, in certain cases rhinoplasty may be for health reasons as well as to reconstruct a more attractive looking nose. Nevertheless, most surgeries may be classified into one category or the other. Examples of plastic surgery are breast reduction to reduce the strain on the back and shoulders, rhinoplasty to alleviate breathing problems, skin grafting to repair skin or tissue damaged by accidents or disease etc. Examples of cosmetic surgery are otoplasty, breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, tummy tucks, Botox injections etc.

These days, cosmetic or plastic surgery is no longer limited to the wealthy. It is becoming more and more within the reach of the man or woman in the street. Not only is it becoming more affordable with the advancement of medical science but it is also becoming more socially acceptable. This is largely due to the media's influence on the perception of these types of operations. It is undeniable that cosmetic and plastic surgery play an important role in increasing the quality of life for everyone in today's modern world.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

Common Types of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeries

There are various types of cosmetic and plastic surgeries available these days. Depending on which body part's appearance you wish to change, there is a type of surgery that can change it.

Some of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery involve adding volume to areas of the body. One of these is collagen injections. This can increase the size of certain parts of the body such as the lips.

But the biggest of the addition surgeries is breast augmentation. With this surgery, implants (usually made of saline) are inserted into a woman's breasts in order to enlarge her cup size. Many breast cancer victims have breast-rebuilding treatments in order to regain their natural body shapes and confidence. On the other hand, breast reduction is also popular. This is often necessary when a woman has very large breasts that may cause back pain and strain on the neck and shoulders.

Botox injections or face-lifts to improve appearance are extremely common especially among celebrities and others whose livelihood depends largely on their physical looks. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles and fixing parts of the body in certain positions. It can be effectively used to remove laughter lines or wrinkles but is only temporary so regular visits are needed to keep the appearance they give. Likewise, face lifts help hide the natural signs of aging by tightening the skin and removing wrinkles and bags under the eyes.

Patients who have lost significant amounts of weight may find it necessary to have an arm lift or buttock/thigh lift. When an individual loses large amounts of weight, particularly at a rapid rate, the skin generally begins to sag and no amount of exercise is able to tone the sagging skin. These types of cosmetic surgical procedures are to tighten the skin.

Liposuction is a very popular cosmetic surgery option. This procedure allows the physician to suction the fat off various portions of the body to reveal a slimmer and trimmer physique. One of the most common forms of liposuction is the tummy tuck, a procedure that removes excess fat from the area around the stomach and waist.

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure in which the nose is reshaped. The nose is cut open and practically remolded into a completely new and more desirable form. At times this type of surgery is required to enable the patient to breathe better.

Otoplasty is essentially the same concept, only with ears. The cartilage in ears is very moldable and soft. If someone feels that their ears protrude too much, they can have a slice cut out of the back to make them lay closer to their head. Just like in rhinoplasty, the shape can be edited in many different ways to allow the patient to choose exactly what he or she wants the new ear to look like.

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a surgical technique where the surgeon sheds out the extra fat, muscle, skin from either or both the upper and the lower eye lid to redesign the shape the eye.

Other increasingly popular forms of treatment include acne scar removal, a relatively simple operation that can change one's facial appearance in a matter of weeks, pierced body repairs and tattoo removals.

Today, with the plethora of cosmetic and plastic surgery available, just about anyone can alter their appearance in whatever ways necessary. No matter what type of such surgery is required, it is possible to find a suitably certified surgeon to do it.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

The Rise And Rise of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

In our 21st century, cosmetic plastic surgery has made it possible for many to appear more attractive and look younger. Thus, this form of surgery is becoming increasingly common and acceptable today. In the past, only the rich and famous could afford it while the rest of the world could only admire the end result. However nowadays, such procedures are within the reach of most people. This is the result of a combination of factors such as increasing affluence, development of financial instruments (such as installment payments) and medical advances that reduce costs while improving safety.

In 2006, statistics released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) showed a huge 90% increase in popularity for liposuction. In addition, breast augmentation and rhinoplasty (nose plastic surgery) is also surging in demand. The popularity of some of these common types can also be attributed to media coverage especially on celebrities who have had such procedures themselves. Mariah Carey's boob job and Michael Jackson's nose job are two well-known examples.

Increase in demand has resulted in a corresponding increase in supply which comes in many possible forms. These days some cosmetic plastic surgery procedures can even be done without general anesthetic. It is also possible for patients to undergo minor procedures within a single day without having to stay overnight at the hospital.

Despite the increased acceptance, greater affordability and safer procedures of cosmetic plastic surgery, the surgeons themselves are the first to point out that such operations should not be seen as a panacea for all ills. At times the end result may not look as appealing as the patient envisaged before the operation. In addition, there are also inherent risk factors as in any sort of surgical procedure.

Nevertheless, the benefits of cosmetic plastic surgery often outweigh the risks of adverse consequences. The many benefits include a greater sense of self-esteem, more self-confidence, improved health, better weight control and of course enhanced physical beauty. All these contribute to the rise of it through which it is possible to improve on the physical characteristics that one has been born with.

On the other hand, at times it is imperative to have plastic surgery. For example, certain breathing problems can be most effectively resolved through septorhinoplasty. Under these circumstances, doctors would almost certainly recommend it. Therefore, not all forms of plastic surgery are for the purpose of improving physical appearance.

In conclusion, the rise of it should be seen in a positive light. Through such procedures, people are able to enhance their appearances and gain all the corresponding benefits that come along with it without forking out a fortune or feeling embarrassed.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com - Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com - Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

How To Prepare Your Skin for Plastic Surgery

It is important to prepare yourself before undergoing any form of surgery. Plastic surgery is no different. Insofar as plastic surgery is concerned, the part of the body that is worked on the most is the skin. Plastic surgeons will agree that the healthier your skin, the better will be your surgical result. Thus it is sensible to take some precautionary steps to prepare your skin before plastic surgery.

Here are some steps to take to ensure your skin is in optimum health prior to plastic surgery:

1. Make sure your skin stays clean and soft all the time. Wash regularly and avoid too much exposure to sunlight. Use sunblock if you have to be under the sun for any extended period of time.

2. Inform your surgeon about any skin products you have been using. Certain products such as Retinol-A can cause skin to be more reactive to laser treatment, for example.

3. If you suffer from a severe acne problem and you have to go for facial plastic surgery, it is important that you treat your acne medically before going for surgery. The bacteria found in acne may increase the risk of infection.

4. Moisturize your skin well. Moisturization helps to keep the skin supple and fresh. This facilitates the surgical process.

5. Avoid these medications and supplements before surgery, as they may increase the risk of excessive bleeding: Aspirin, Vitamin E and Ginkgo Biloba.

6. The following natural ingredients can assist the healing process: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, plant-derived Calcium, Ginger and Vitamin K. These may improve the skin's defense while reducing skin stress.

7. Do not go on any fad diet programs. And do not overeat, either. Just take proper balanced meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water daily. This ensures healthy skin.

8. Stop smoking. Smoking restricts blood flow to the skin, slowing down healing considerably. There should be a moratorium on nicotine at least two weeks before AND after surgery.

A discussion with the plastic surgeon will give further explanation and information of pre-surgical actions that need to be taken for the skin to be of prime health.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

Legal Action in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is meant to improve your looks in one way or another. Liposuction would give you a slimmer waistline or firmer thighs. A facelift should result in fewer wrinkles while breast augmentation is for more attractive looking breasts. But what if the end result of cosmetic surgery is not what you envisaged it to be? What forms of redress are open to you?

Since the outcome of plastic surgery can be very subjective, it is rather difficult to make a strong legal case if you are not happy with your looks. A good case in point would be some of the celebrities who had plastic surgery. I'm not talking about the successful cases like Mariah Carey's breast implants; rather I'm referring to those who attracted media attention for all the wrong reasons like Michael Jackson's nose job. The poor results he experienced could have been due to factors other than the surgeon. The only way to successfully seek legal redress is to prove negligence on the part of the surgeon.

Furthermore, before surgery your plastic surgeon would almost certainly have given you a detailed explanation of the procedure in written form. You may have also been given other reading material describing the risks, benefits and alternatives to the plastic surgery you were going to have. Before going ahead with the surgery you would have signed a consent form. All these procedures indicate it was clear to you that the result of the surgery might not be as you fully expect.

But supposing even after all the explanations and consent given, you are still unhappy with your appearance after plastic surgery. The correct thing to do would be to complain to the surgeon himself instead of resort immediately to legal channels. It may be that your surgeon agrees with you to some extent that a better job could have been done and therefore he might perform some corrective surgery for free. You are free to bring a lawsuit against the plastic surgeon at any time but before doing so, you should consider if your case has legal merit and whether it is financially viable for you to do so.

Most lawyers would not accept plastic surgery cases unless three things are clear, based upon expert medical review. Firstly it must be determined that there was negligence and departure from good surgical practice on the part of the plastic surgeon (not just the dissatisfaction of the patient with the outcome of the surgery). Secondly, these departures must be a substantial factor in causing injury to the patient and finally, that such injury is permanent.

In conclusion we must realize that cosmetic plastic surgery carries risks just like any other form of surgery. One such risk is that the outcome might not be perfect in the opinion of the patient. But since this particular risk is subjective in nature, one should be slow in seeking legal redress against the plastic surgeon especially since various documents would have been reviewed and signed by the patient recognizing such risks. A better form of redress would be to negotiate with the surgeon to revise the procedure. This would likely be a more amicable solution to all parties.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

Questions to Ask Before Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery

Going for any form of cosmetic or plastic surgery is an important decision. It warrants careful consideration before committing to it. Since cosmetic plastic surgery is not something most people know very much about, it is imperative to get all the facts about the particular type of cosmetic or plastic surgery you are considering.

Unfortunately, due to the money-making potential involved in cosmetic surgery, there have been a number of more unscrupulous 'surgeons' offering their services at reduced costs. These surgeons usually have little or no qualifications and avoiding them is the most important thing you can do if considering cosmetic or plastic surgery.

Selecting the right clinic can take time, and definitely isn't something you should rush into. Always select a clinic that displays recognized qualifications. A little research on the Internet will tell you whether a qualification has been earned, bought or simply printed. Only consider using a clinic that offers a one-on-one consultation with a surgeon before operating. If they don't offer this, then you should reconsider using that particular clinic.

During your appointment with the consultant plastic surgeon, ask him about his experience and qualifications. Usually the certificates will be framed on the wall of their office; if not, do not be afraid to ask. A reputable and qualified surgeon will only be too pleased to show you his certificates. Also ask him about how much experience he has in performing the type of surgery you require and what type of surgical technique he would use for you. It would be a good idea of asking for 'Before' and 'After' pictures of previous patients.

Here are some further questions you should ask pertaining to the cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure itself. These questions can ensure that you are well informed before making the important decision of whether or not to proceed with surgery.

1. How long will the procedure take?

2. How much pain or discomfort is involved, how is it controlled and how long will it last?

3. Where are the incisions made and what will the scar look like?

4. Will I get a permanent scar even after the stitches are removed?

5. Do you use proper hospitals with full facilities or just clinics?

6. What are the possible risks and potential complications and what can I do to minimize those risks myself? If you are told there are no side effects you should be very wary. No matter which type of cosmetic plastic surgery you undergo, there are bound to be some form of side effects.

7. How long is the stay in hospital?

8. Will there be swelling and how long will it last?

9. When can I have a shower or bath after the operation?

10. How long will it be before I can go back to work?

11. When will I look 'normal' again?

12. Will the results of the operation be permanent?

13. Will the operation ever need to be repeated?

14. Is there any guarantee that the final outcome will be up to my expectations?

15. How much does it cost and what is the breakdown of the fees?

16. What is not included in the fees?

17. Is there a discount if several procedures are performed at once and how much can be performed safely in one session?

18. If I want to proceed how do I set a date for surgery?

19. When is my payment due?

20. What payment methods (including financing) do you accept?

Obviously, not every one of these questions may be applicable to you. The list above is thorough enough for just about any case. If you feel comfortable with the surgeon and are satisfied with the explanations given, then you know you have done as much as possible to ensure your surgery is done safely.

For the latest expert treatment and information on cosmetic and plastic surgery, visit http://www.sabahplasticsurgery.com Combine the best plastic surgery treatment with an exotic tropical holiday and save on cost by visiting http://www.beautyborneo.com Both services are superbly managed by Malaysian Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years' experience, Dr. Charles Lee.


By Dr. Charles Lee

Acne Scar Removal Surgery

Acne scar removal surgery is one way of treating the scars left behind from acne. Acne scar removal surgery can be done by your dermatologist.

If you are considering acne scar removal surgery be sure to do some research. Before you have acne scar removal surgery check out the doctor and the treatments available.

Some things your doctor will consider before acne scar removal surgery are your age and health as well as the type and severity of the scars. Before acne scar removal surgery your doctor may also need to know how you tolerate certain meds and procedures.

One type of acne scar removal surgery is called dermabrasion. When dermabrasion is used the top layers of skin are removed with a machine. This type of acne scar removal surgery should produce skin that appears smoother.

Another kind of acne scar removal surgery is the chemical peel. A chemical peel is an acne scar removal surgery procedure where the top layer of skin is removed chemically as the name implies. The skin regenerates after a chemical peel and often the appearance of the skin is improved.

Laser resurfacing is a type of acne scar removal surgery that uses a high-energy light to burn away acne-damaged skin. This acne scar removal surgery is used to minimize fine scars.

Punch grafts are an acne scar removal surgery that is used for deep acne scars. When this acne scar removal surgery is used, unscarred skin is used to replace skin that is scarred with acne.

The best acne scar removal surgery for you will be the one that you and your doctor decide on together.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com. He provides more acne clearing solutions, remedies and acne skin care products that you can research in your pajamas on his website.


By Tim Gorman

Cosmetic Ear Stapling

Ear Surgery Information

Otoplasty is the medical terminology for what most people refer to as ear surgery, ear plastic surgery, cosmetic ear surgery, and ear pinning surgery.

In this procedure the goal is to put prominent ears back closer to the head and/or reduce the size of large ears. This procedure most often is performed on children between 4 and 14 years in age. This surgery may be a medical necessity for some individuals. In these type cases the surgery may be covered by insurance.

Length and details of the Ear Surgery procedure

The length of procedure usually runs 2 to 3 hours.

For this type procedure the patient, if a young child is given general anesthesia. Older children and adults are given a general or local anesthesia, with sedation.

Depending on the extent of the surgery a patient will normally undergo an outpatient surgery.

Risks and/or complications related to Ear Surgery

For most ear surgery operations the patient will experiences potential side effects consisting of throbbing, aching, swelling, redness, and numbness. All of which are temporary in their duration.

In addition there are other associated risks with this procedure that include the risk of infection of ear cartilage, excessive scarring, and blood clots requiring draining. Some surgeries could result in unequal or non-natural looking ears. In these and protrusion re occurrence cases, additional surgery could be required.

For most patients the recovery time needed should be between 5 to 7 days.

It will be necessarily to avoid strenuous activity and contact sports for 1 or more months.

Long-term results of Ear Surgery

In this procedure the results are typically permanent in nature.

How much does Ear Surgery cost?

The national average cost for a procedure the $2,700

Will my insurance cover an Ear Surgery procedure?

This surgery may be a medical necessity for some individuals. In these type cases the surgery may be covered by insurance.

Read more about Cosmetic Ear Stapling. Alan Hood is a contributing writer at Houston Medical Center

By Tim Gorman

Breast Implants - Men Speak Out!

It is difficult to know what a woman facing breast enhancement surgery is thinking when she finally makes the decision to go forward with breast implants, but to know what her male partner thinks is even more challenging.

Do the men salivate at the thought of perkier breasts that are firm and perfect looking? Or do they object to a woman changing their body with surgery, preferring instead to have an all-natural woman?

The decision to have a breast enhancement surgery, while ultimately lying with the woman having the surgery, often involves heavy consultation with the man in their life.

The man's involvement will certainly vary, but particularly post-surgery, the man needs to be willing to understand and accept the role they must play in care-giving.

The first few days following a breast enhancement surgery can be filled with pain, discomfort, and bruising, and great care must be given in administering assistance to the patient. The advice for many men is that they take off work at least the first day after surgery to assist the woman.

There are men whose wives or significant others decide to have breast implants for any number of reasons, but the overwhelming feedback received concerns how the woman reacts after surgery.

One man reported that his wife had had several biopsies on one breast, and the result was a B cup on one side and a C cup on the other, making the woman self-conscious.

After deciding to go through with the surgery, the man reported that he had never seen his wife's face light up the way that it did, and that in twenty-one years of marriage, he had never seen her voluntarily shop for a tank top or bathing suit.

He did reinforce that the post-operative care was considerable, and advises making sure there are plenty of pillows available, water, juices of varying flavors, and that there should be the understanding that neither person would be getting sleep in the first few days.

Another man stated that when it comes to the choice of having implants or not, he had no strong opinions either way for his wife. He stated that when he is intimate with his wife, he isn't thinking about whether she has silicone or saline, but he is thinking about her as a whole person, not as those two parts of her body.

Ultimately, his wife decided to have a breast enhancement, and he says that every time he touches one of them, he doesn't think about what is inside at all.

There are also men who are more concerned with their partner's health than with the aesthetic outcome. After all, it is not a simple surgery procedure, and waiting in the hospital for your loved one to come out of surgery is also difficult. Not to mention, you then have to be the primary caregiver for several days.

The bottom line, however, is that for a majority of men, it matters more that their spouse is having breast implants for their self-image, to make themselves feel better, and not for any other reason.

Once you've decided that you want a breast augmentation, knowing what size you want is important to the surgery's success. Relying on a good breast implant sizing system is key to a successful procedure. Choose Envision Implants for a sizing system that works. http://www.envisionimplants.com


By A Aaronson

Face Lift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Lift - Which Do I Need?

If you are considering some facial plastic surgery to correct the effects of aging, you might be wondering what the differences are between a face lift, brow lift, and eyelid lift procedures are. Let's take a quick look at each of the three procedures to help clarify their differences a bit better for you in your mind.

The Face Lift

One of the most common facial cosmetic surgeries performed today is the face lift. A facelift can help older patients who have sagging, wrinkled skin on their face to achieve a more youthful appearance. Simply the act of tightening and smoothing the facial skin, and some removal of underlying fat deposits, can help to define facial features and shave years off of your appearance.

As you age, the muscles of your face relax and fat deposits begin to develop where they were not present in the past. The facelift surgical procedure entails the removal of some of the fat which has developed in the facial area, and in addition the muscles and skin are pulled tighter on the face. The entire procedure takes between 2 to 4 hours to do and recovery time is generally at least a couple of weeks.

Good candidates for a facelift are those people who want to regain their youthful look, rather than patients who want to change their appearance. Generally, these are performed on patients who are 60 years of age or older.

The Brow Lift

Many people do not need a full procedure; they simply need a brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, to help correct wrinkles and sagging in the upper face. Similar to the facelift, the brow lift is used to help patients gain a more youthful appearance, but is done on a younger group of people, generally between the ages of 40 and 60.

The brow lift is much less invasive then a complete facelift because only the muscles and fat of the brow area are worked on during the procedure. This makes recovery time much less than for a facelift, yet offers excellent results.

The Eyelid Lift

An eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, is simply the removal of fatty deposits around the eyelids and removal of excess skin in the area. Fat deposits in your eyelids can make your eyes appear puffy or swollen. This added fat in the area can give you the appearance of being tired and older than you really are. In addition, fatty deposits in the eyelids themselves can cause vision issues.

In an eyelid lift procedure the excess fat is removed, the excess skin in the area is trimmed away, and the eyes are brought back to a much younger looking state. The procedure is not terribly invasive and the recovery time is very reasonable.

As you can see, there are vast differences between a facelift, a brow lift, and an eyelid lift surgical procedure. However, by working with a board certified plastic surgeon, you can determine the best course of action to help remove the signs of the passage of time on your face.

For face lift for men, New Jersey men seek out the skills and training found in a board certified surgeon, such as Dr. Paul Parker. Dr. Parker of Parker Center for Plastic Surgery offers information and before and after face lift pictures online at http://www.parkercenter.net/
By A Aaronson

Financing Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery today is something that many people just like you and I consider for one reason or another. For some people, plastic surgery is needed to fix the aftermath of an accident or illness, while other people simply choose to improve upon their natural born body.

With this new availability of plastic surgery to the masses, the issue of how to pay for procedures is on a lot of people's minds these days.

Unless your plastic surgery procedure is medically necessary, most insurance companies will not pay for it - at all. Thankfully, today many financial companies realize the need for loans designed especially for people who want to have expensive medical or dental work performed.

Rather than have to charge thousands of dollars to a high interest credit card, many financial institutions now offer what are referred to as "medical loans." With a medical loan you can finance the cost of your surgery and make payments on it over time. And, unlike credit cards, the interest rate on a medical loan is usually at a very reasonable rate as long as you have decent credit scores.

Some people have a hard time justifying the financing of their plastic surgery. It is an elective procedure. However, it is often helpful to think of it as an investment in yourself in your self-image and self-esteem.

For example, if your vehicle needed to have body work done on it, you would take it to the shop and if you couldn't afford the bill all at once, then you would put it on a credit card. This allows you to drive around in a nice car and make payments on the work that was done.

Similarly, financing your plastic surgery procedure allows you to have the work done to improve the look of your body and then pay it off over time, rather than having to come up with a large amount of money all at once.

If you need assistance in paying for your plastic surgery procedure, the first place you should start is at your doctor's office. Many physicians' offices can help guide you to reputable finance companies who offer medical loans. Medical loans from financial companies are generally available for amounts between $1,000 and $25,000 and usually offer terms of payback over 24 to 60 months.

If you would prefer not to work with a bank or financing company, many plastic surgery clinics can work with you directly to offer you a payment plan. Some plastic surgery clinics will allow you to pay for part of your surgery up-front and then make payments, while others will allow you to have the procedure and make payments after it is completed. The exact payment options depend on the plastic surgery clinic you choose to use.

Just as with any other financing you agree to in your life, make sure that before you ever sign anything promising to pay, you completely understand the terms of repayment and the exact costs of the loan as well. If the interest rate or payments are too high for you, shop around and find yourself a better deal.

Financing plastic surgery can be a great way to get the medical care you need or want today, and to spread the cost out over time to make it more affordable. However, you need to understand your financing options and choose from them wisely. By working with your plastic surgery clinic, you can find the best financing terms available to you.

In San Francisco, plastic surgery payment options can suit any budget. In his two Bay Area offices, Dr. Roy Kim offers information, before and after pictures, and financing options for cosmetic surgery. http://www.drkim.com/


By A Aaronson

Surgical Options for Unhappy Chins

Chin augmentation surgery (also known as chin implant surgery) is a common facial plastic surgery that brings balance to the facial structure by correcting a chin problem due to congenital deficiency, age-related bone resorption, or facial trauma.

Why Chin Implants?

Chin implants can be used for either cosmetic or reconstructive enhancement of the jaw line and will provide a more natural-looking break between your neck and face. The goal of a chin implant is to give greater definition to your chin and provide balance with the rest of your face.

A weak chin can make your nose appear large and can make an already prominent nose seem even larger. A weak chin may also give the appearance of a fleshy neck. A chin that is too prominent may give the appearance of having too small of a nose and may throw the face off balance. The end result of chin augmentation surgery is to achieve a balanced relationship within the structure of the face.

The Procedure

Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will select the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and will insert the implant into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed inside the mouth, along the lower lip or in the skin just under the chin area.

The chin is usually taped after surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in the skin will be removed in five to seven days or the sutures will dissolve. Most patients experience some discomfort and swelling in the affected area for several days following surgery. Smiling and talking will be difficult during the healing process, and black and blue marks may be visible around your chin and neck. Your surgeon will instruct you on post-surgery care of the surgery site.

With chin surgery, as with any facial surgery, you may feel and look better in a short period of time. Certain activities will be restricted, however, especially those that may jar or bump the face. Surgical risks will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation.

To learn more about chin implant surgery or any other facial plastic surgery in the Pittsburgh area, please visit the website of Dr. James J. Barber today.


By Lynn Fugaro

Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Tourism

Going overseas for surgical treatment can be overwhelming for anybody. After all, it’s not like going to a hospital down the road where you have been to before and know all the doctors and nurses. To be successful in your pursuit of low-cost high quality medical treatment, there is a step by step process that you must follow to gain confidence in your decision, get the right care and save money.
STEP 1: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TREND OF MEDICAL TOURISM Find out why everybody is raving about it and why they are willing to travel half the world for it. Learn from the experience of others. Read news and articles on the subject. Check out the frequently asked questions that medical tourists have at https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp.

STEP 2: RESEARCH ON THE MEDICAL PROCEDURE Find out all you can about the medical procedure in question �" problems it solves, follow-up care needed, physical therapy required, etc. This will help you clear 3 doubts: is the procedure right for your condition; are you the right candidate for the procedure; and should you go abroad for it.

STEP 3: FIND OUT IF MEDICAL TOURISM IS WHAT YOU WANT Medical tourism is not always a good choice for non-emergency medical treatments. Sometimes transportation costs may outweigh the possible savings achievable by going abroad. In some cases, the time required for the surgery abroad may be too much for you to spare. Or, the surgery you need may not be available abroad with a reputable health care provider.

STEP 4: LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATIONS Some countries have the reputation for top-quality cardiac surgery while others for world-class orthopedics and yet others for cosmetic procedures. So make your selection wisely. Sometimes distance can also play an important role in your decision-making, like in the case of small dental jobs. You should also prepare yourself for culture differences.

STEP 5: LEARN ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES AND SURGEONS When researching on any health care provider try to find answers to the following: Does the hospital or clinic employ the latest equipments and technology? Do they have expertise in the medical procedure you are seeking? What accreditations and awards do they have? Are the surgeons qualified enough? Where did they receive their education and training? Answering these questions will give you a fair idea of the standard of quality of the provider.

STEP 6: ARRANGE ALL YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS You will need them at the time of pre-consultation with your overseas surgeon as well as when you go abroad for surgery. Depending upon the condition you are treating, medical records you may need are: X-Rays, X-Ray reports, MRI's, health histories, photographs, immunization record, prescriptions, etc..

STEP 7: REQUEST AND COMPARE QUOTES Costs of health care vary from country to country and provider to provider. So request for quotes and compare them. Your selection of a particular provider and country should be based not just on low cost but also on quality as well as distance.

STEP 8: CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE FOR COVERAGE With the numerous benefits that medical tourism offers, today some insurance companies have medical tourism plans. So, if you are covered under an overseas medical treatment plan, your insurer might cover your medical tourism expenses in full or in part. So check with your health insurance company for coverage details.

STEP 9: ACQUIRE YOUR PASSPORT AND VISA If you and/or your travel companion (if any) do not have a passport, you will need to acquire it. Check with the foreign country’s embassy if a visa is required for entry and apply for it accordingly.

STEP 10: PLAN YOUR ITINERARY When planning your itinerary, allow ample time for recovery. Be prepared to stay longer/shorter than expected. If you have travel or tourism on mind, allow time for that as well.

STEP 11: BOOK TICKETS AND ROOMS Book tickets for yourself and your companion. After your surgery, you can choose to relax at a resort or in a hotel or go traveling in the foreign country. So if possible, make arrangements beforehand.

STEP 12: APPLY FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN Consider purchasing one of the short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Travel insurance gives medical tourists coverage for unforeseen problems, from a canceled flight to a serious illness.

STEP 13: APPLY FOR MEDICAL FINANCE LOAN If you do not have enough money for your medical treatment overseas, you may consider applying for medical loan or dental loan. Loan processing companies provide patient payment plans for plastic surgery, dental procedures, bariatric procedures, dermatology treatments, hospital, etc.

STEP 14: PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR RECOVERY In certain cases, you may need to prepare your home for recovery. For example, if you are seeking affordable hip resurfacing surgery abroad, you may want to rearrange furniture in your house in advance before you leave to aid during the recovery stages.

STEP 15: PACK YOUR BAGS AND TAKE THE TRIP Ensure that you have packed comfortable clothing. Bring some local currency, travelers checks, and one or two major credit cards. Keep important contact information handy. Bring all the required medical records. Remember to carry all your medical reports as well as any medicines in your carry-on luggage. Finally, take your well-planned medical trip and return home happy and healthy!

The above step by step medical tourism guide will help you with most aspects of medical tourism. To make your medical travel easy you may want to use a medical tourism provider to help you with all the logistics of medical tourism. Medical tourism providers like Healthbase (http://www.healthbase.com) connect you with the hospital of your choice while providing many other related valuable services.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities and surgeons, and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.

by Mumtaz Pachisa

Tumescent Liposuction Surgery

Everybody is afraid of a surgery. How much pain does it cause, how much damage. Will the outcome be worth paying the price? This is especially true when it comes to cosmetic surgery, when the operation is done for aesthetic reasons only. Here you want to be sure that the outcome is perfect.
Most of us have seen a liposuction on television already. The doctor rams a needle into the body and sucks out the fat of the body. It doesn't look gentle and it isn't. That's the traditional way of doing liposuction but there is a better way of doing it.

That's why many look for less invasive ways of surgical fat removal. One of these ways is so called tumescent liposuction. It is known today as the safest liposuction.

Compared to the traditional way of doing this surgery, tumescent liposuction is superior. The results are much better. There is less blood loss for example because much less damage is done to the tissue. Beside of that, for the traditional method a full anesthesia is needed but for the tumescent liposuction a local anesthesia is sufficient. These reasons made the tumescent liposuction to the most requested liposuction surgery today.

So what makes tumescent liposuction so different? The only difference is that a lot of liquid is pumped in the targeted area, about three times of fluid than fat that is going to be removed. The liquid which consists of saline, epinephrine and lidocaine makes the capillaries shrink so that less blood loss is the result.

This fluid causes a swelling and when the needle is inserted to remove the fat cells, the doctor has much more room to operate and causes less damage.

The tumescent liposuction is quickly finished and for you it means that you can go back to work after about four days already. It also means that you have less pain which can be kept under control with standard pain killers.

The only disadvantage of tumescent liposuction is that it takes a little longer because of all the fluid that also has to be removed after the surgery is finished. But compared with the advantages it is still the better choice.

There are no special side effects of tumescent beside the ones you experience with any other surgery. These are bruising, swelling, scars, pain or numbness for example. All these effects should go away from alone after a while. There are other complications and your doctor will have a complete list of all possible negative outcomes. However, today liposuction is considered to be very safe.


by Linda A. Lithony

The Best Method For Rapid Healthy Weight Loss?

More and more folks are searching for ways towards rapid healthy weight loss. The reasons are numerous. But they stem mainly from getting impatient and/or getting lazy. This is just a part of human nature. Yet, we also want to do so without killing ourselves with something unhealthy.
Except for the desire to be healthy, these may appear to be as unwanted traits. After all, we have been drilled into thinking that patience is the key and that if we want to lose weight, well then we have to get off our butts and start exercising.

But then why are several folks out there that can lose lots of weight EVEN after those same folks try other methods that didn't help? To understand this we need to acknowledge some rules of thought:

1) It is NOT impossible to lose 8-15 pounds in two weeks, and KEEP losing weight after that, and in the process become MORE healthy. This is contrary to some weight loss plans that are effective at losing weight, but lead to unwanted side effects (e.g. high cholesterol, etc.).

2) You do NOT have to resort to some sort of fad, medicine OR surgical procedure. Stay from those. Also you don't have to resort to "secret recipes".

3) You do NOT have to resort to exercise AT ALL to lose weight. Sure you should exercise for health purposes (walking is a great start if haven't been already). But you shouldn't exercise like that for the sole purpose of losing weight (if you do you'll be sorry! But didn't you know that - especially after trying already?)

4) It is not necessary to cut down your calories to lose weight. Some low calorie foods that are unhealthy can actually make you gain weight whereas there are some foods have more calories that can help you lose weight. The necessity on the other hand lies in WHAT foods you eat.

5) Candida or colon cleanses are helpful but are not required to lose weight safely and quickly. However, they are healthy if done properly. Personally, although I have done colon cleanses, I have never done a Candida one. The process looked too rigorous involving too much discipline. Thank goodness you don't need to do that to safely lose weight!

Conversely, instead of relying on the above, what you need to do is follow some simple procedures that you can apply at home with food that can be easily bought at your nearest store.

With a rapid healthy weight loss program such as the one you can get access to HERE, it is now getting to be reasonably possible to lose anywhere between 8 and 15 pounds in the first two weeks.

It is no longer the consensus that you need to lose three pounds per week in order to obtain a "realistic" goal. Losing 8 to 15 pounds is entirely realistic and does not resort to "hocus pocus" methods of weight loss.

When someone originally told me this before I lost 20 pounds in one month, I would have said, "oh, easy for you to say, not everyone can experience that type of weight loss." This is one case where I am happy to say that I was wrong.

Now I now that it is obviously possible. The good thing about losing weight is that you do not have to resort to medical pills, or, even worse, surgical procedures. These can kill you, or at the very least, lead to unwanted side effects.

The secret is not to cut down your carbs. Or fats. Or proteins. Or even boost you exercise. On the contrary, you can lose 8-15 pounds in two weeks without even exercising for one second provided that you make some modification to your diets. Not expensive really.

So, to summarize, it is possible to obtain rapid healthy weight loss without resorting to ill-fated short-cuts or fads that won't work, or to follow an exercise routine. All you have to do is make simple changes to the carbs, proteins, and fats in your diet.


by Patrick C. Martinez

What Are My Non Surgical Face Lift Options?

Gravity kicks us hard and strong as we get older, ladies. He (Gravity) is like a little punk who instead of spray painting walls, leaves his own unique mark on our faces. You know gravity has been working hard when you start to see crow's feet, those spidery lines at the sides of our eyes. Not to mention the laugh lines and other wrinkles.
Then we notice our puffy skin, the haggardness, and how heavy our eyes look. It really is a pain in the butt. What to do? There's always a surgical face lift. Of course we all have the time and money to spare to get cosmetic surgery, don't we? Yeah, right.

What's the answer? We can do something different and give ourselves a non surgical face lift. There are lots of different kinds of products that we can use. They can give us younger, smoother skin and get rid of those wrinkles and lines. Best of all, you won't have to deal with any pain, scars, and swelling with a non surgical face lift.

There are different ways to go about it, and you have lots of options. There are products which stimulate collagen in our faces, and that makes the fine lines and creases disappear. Then you have lasers and other procedures that can stimulate your body's natural production of collagen, increasing elasticity.

Lotions and creams are a simple but effective solution too, and all you have to do is rub them on. A non surgical face lift is definitely the answer for me. There's no way I'm getting my face cut open. It may not be the greatest one, but it's the only one I've ever been given.

So if you are freaking out the way I did when I realized the past 20 years actually shows, just know that there are many options and you don't have to settle for pain, scars, or other terrible things in order to look younger.

by Jessica P

Weight Loss Facts

Low Fat Foods DON'T WORK.

You cannot lose weight using Low Fat Diets. Low fat foods have been popular for more than 15 years, but yet our society is getting more overweight as each year passes. This fact alone should tell you that eating a purely low fat menu is not the answer to losing weight.

Low Calorie Diets DON'T WORK.

You won't lose weight using a Low Calorie Dieting Plan either. In fact, eating low calories is the worst thing that you can do to your body, since that will only slow down your body's fat burning engine and ruin all chances of losing weight (low calorie diets may allow a few pounds of weight loss for the first few days, but then after that all weight loss comes to a halt --- known as a dieting plateau). You can never get slim by starving yourself.

Low Carb Plans DON'T WORK.

You'll probably find it extremely difficult to get slim using a Low Carb Dieting Plan. Low carb diets have recently become popular over the last couple years, but the problem with low carb menus is that they are too strict and TOO HARD TO FOLLOW for average people. Low carb menus tend to rob your body of too much energy (carbohydrates) and make it nearly impossible to remain on the program for very long. This is why so many dieters find it difficult to follow a strict low carbohydrate menu.

What about Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig Dieting Plans?

Weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers (and Jenny Craig) usually involve slower dieting progress over a longer period of time, since such programs generally promise only 2-3 pounds of weight loss per week. Also, programs such as Jenny Craig usually involve buying special meals and/or dietary supplements during the initial phases of the program. While some people may like these types of dietary programs, we prefer a dieting plan which focuses on faster weight loss, such as the Accelerated Fat Burning Program shown below...


by Chris

Lose 10 Pounds In 7 Days

To lose 10 pounds in 7 days you need to immerse yourself in physical activity of 2 kinds: full body strength workouts and cardiovascular sessions. I wrote more about the physical aspect of this weight loss effort in another article, but I have not given enough emphasis to the mental strain this will place on you.

To do the quantity of exercise required to lose 10 pounds in 7 days and to follow the strict diet you will have to keep will require you to do the following things:

1. Make a firm decision before you even start the process stating that you're going to do whatever it takes to successfully lose 10 lbs in 7 days. This should be in the form of a personal contract. It may sound a bit abstract, but motivation and determination play a key role in your success or failure, so make this personal agreement as powerful as possible.

2. During the 7 days in which you'll be trying to lose these 10 pounds you will feel the mental strain as well as the physical. You have to keep your goal in the focus of your mind and repeat to yourself like a mantra that you will make it through these 7 days and end up slimmer and fitter.

3. There will be times when you'll want to throw in the towel and give it up. Resist those times by working out harder. Let the workouts replace these dismal thoughts and focus on each exercise.

4. Make sure to have the support of those closest to you. You will need someone to help keep you motivated and to make sure you stick to your program. Get the people around you involved in what you need to do.

5. One of the things which can ruin your efforts to lose 10 pounds in 7 days is weighing yourself in the middle of the week. Wait until the end of the 7 days and only then see where you stand. Otherwise, you might get demoralized for no reason.

I have to say that losing 10 pounds in 7 days isn't easy. In fact, I believe that you should give yourself at least 2 weeks in order to lose 10 pounds. But if you decide to do it in 7 days, I suggest you click the following link for more info: How To Lose 10 Pounds In 7 Days or Less

John Davenport lost over 30 pounds in his twenties after being overweight most of his life. He writes extensively on fitness and diet issues. To receive more of his diet and fitness secrets and get 2 fitness ebooks for FREE, click here: http://FitFirmBody.com. To read more about fast weight loss, click here: How To Lose 10 Lbs Fast And Never Gain It Back

By John Davenport

How to Lose Water Weight - 5 Tips

Retaining excess water can make you feel bloated. It can also make your wrists, ankles, hands and feet swell and your face look puffy. Sure, you have probably learned that the best way to lose water weight is actually to drink more water. This is absolutely true. In fact, water weight is usually a sign that your body is "scared" to lose any more water and as a countermeasure is retaining it like a camel. The thing is, you are not a camel!

Here are 5 tips for fine-tuning your water weight loss plan:

Tip #1: Get a 32 oz. or 64 oz. refillable container: You can find these little babies for very cheap at almost any discount or sporting goods store and they come in all kinds of cool designs. Buy them not for their cool designs, however, but rather for their amazing capacity: you can really put a lot of water into these things. And, unlike a conventional cup, their portable design encourages you to carry them wherever you go. If you drink just 1 - 2 of these mega-containers' worth of water each day, your body will start shedding the excess water that it has been holding onto for dear life for so long.

Tip #2: Add a little lemon or lime: To your mega-container, add a squeeze or two of lemon or lime. These citrus fruits act as natural diuretics, and their refreshing taste makes the water go down that much easier.

Tip #3: Eat lower sodium foods: Sodium and water weight go hand-in-hand. When you drink more water, your body is freed to release some of its sodium stores. Conversely, when you switch to a lower sodium diet, your body will tend to store less excess water. Bonus tip: cutting down on diet sodas will cut your sodium intake significantly.

Tip #4: Try a natural diuretic: Diuretics help your body flush water weight. But prescription diuretics can be rather harsh on your system and often cause intense diarrhea. Try a natural diuretic such as an herbal-based one for a gentler, healthier experience of forcing that excess water out of your body.

Tip #5: Sprinkle in some exercise: Yes, that weight loss panacea, exercise, comes in handy for helping you to lose water weight, too. Bonus tip: choose exercises that work the areas of your body (e.g., wrists or ankles) that need the most help in losing water.

Drinking more water is the cornerstone to a water weight loss strategy. Adding a bit of citrus to your water, taking natural diuretics, eating a low sodium diet, and doing concentrated exercises can also help you shed that weight. Losing water weight is the first step to looking sexy and feeling great with a comprehensive weight loss plan.

Looking to burn more fat, faster? Try a proven eating plan invented by a professional bodybuilder: http://www.No-Fat-Yes-Muscle.com

By Susan Willis

3 Simple Tips to Burn That Fat Fast

I've been thinking lately that what we all want in life is to be shown how to do things effectively. And weight loss is no different.

So I now have a challenge!

What have I learned that will benefit you most? What are the three most important tips I would tell you that I think will give you the greatest chance of winning permanently at this weight loss game. The first, I think is the most important but often overlooked... it involves your mind:

Be certain that you really do want to burn off that fat

If you aren't absolutely certain that you want to win at this game, this time, then I don't rate your chances of success very highly. You must be certain and you must make a conscious decision to commit.

Write it down!

The next tip is about your eating behaviors:

Overcome that Carbohydrate Addiction

You have absolutely no chance of losing weight and burning that fat while you're still addicted to those carbs.

I know I go over this time and time again but it's so important... this is the step that will make you or break you. The worst time is after dinner for most of us when that overpowering urge to grab a carb or sugar fix comes on. It's that old carb addiction kicking in... we know it, we like it, we even welcome it... it's an old friend.

If you give in once you might still be OK and stay on your plan... maybe even twice. But three strikes and you're out. If you slip three times in the early days you will almost certainly give up and return to your old eating patterns. I will show you in a moment how to overcome this carb craving easily in 5 days and not have hunger while you're doing it.

Now you'll want to get healthy for life:

Gradually change to a diet that will keep you slim... you will quite quickly learn to love it more than your former diet.

This may seem the hard part, but it can actually be quite easy and enjoyable on the plan I will show you. Banish high GI foods from your diet for a 5 day period and the carb craving will be gone. Then gradually re-introduce tasty healthy foods and complex carbs back into your diet over the next weeks and months. It's fast, it's easy and it gets results.

I can show you how to get this started in just 5 days! You'll lose 5 pounds in 5 days or 10 pounds in 10 days and you won't be hungry! I have recently written a book entitled "Lose Weight - Never Go Hungry" which lays out a plan for overcoming Carbohydrate addiction and losing weight.

You can download it FREE here: "Lose Weight - Never Go Hungry"


By Jim Keayes

Weight Loss For Healthy Living

A healthy life style is paramount to ensure overall well-being, and reduce the likelihood of any number of illnesses and diseases, including heart disease and strokes. Additionally, it can bring remarkable psychological benefits, improving self-esteem and boosting confidence. However, losing weight is easier said than done, and in this article, we'll look at some of the ways in which you can make the process slightly easier.

Before you begin any weight loss programme, it is always a good idea to consult your local medical practitioner. This should allow you to discuss your plan with a medical professional, who should be able to offer you advice and guidance on the most effective ways for you to lose weight. It is also a good idea to consider your weight loss strategy. Remember to set realistic targets which should allow you to see a marked improvement, without affecting morale.

Any weight loss programme should combine two elements, both of which are equally important. Firstly, weight loss demands a course of exercise. This requires a course of moderate physical activity regularly to improve all round fitness and burn excess calories. By walking briskly for just one hour every day, you can dramatically improve your health and reduce the risks of heart disease and strokes. Again it is important to discuss any exercise schedule with a medical professional, to ensure there are no underlying health problems, which could add an additional risk factor.

Secondly, and equally importantly, it is essential to combine any course of exercise with a healthy, balanced diet. A balanced diet benefits weight loss by providing the necessary nutrition to fuel exercise, as well as providing the correct balance of healthy calories. This in effect enables the body to run through calories rather than storing them as stubborn fat, which ultimately makes the weight loss process significantly easier, and more permanent. In addition to that, by eating healthily, we can benefit from improved nutrient content in our diets, leaving a healthier body which can ultimately increase immunity to disease and increase life expectancy.

Losing weight is an all round beneficial pursuit, decreasing the likelihood of a number of serious diseases in later life. Additionally, it is an important all round process for ensuring a healthy body and a healthy mind. By combining a healthy balanced diet with a course of regular exercise, you should benefit from gradual, safe and permanent weight loss whilst improving your health and overall fitness.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Aging, Cosmetic Surgery, and Nursing

By Jonathon Hardcastle

What to Expect from a Weight Loss Surgery Information Center

The weight loss surgery information center is not just a place to find information on the best weight loss doctors, surgeons, and hospitals where surgery can be performed. In fact, you can gain more knowledge from a weight loss surgery information center regarding obesity, its effects, and its complications.

A center for information

A weight loss surgery information center provides you with essential information about anything regarding obesity and surgery. It is your guide for those who want to undergo weight loss surgery but do not have enough knowledge or information about the matter.

Kinds of technology

At a weight loss surgery information center, you can also learn about the kinds of technology being used in performing weight loss surgery. For example, the LAP-BAND or the laparoscopic band technology is one of the latest techniques being used for gastric bypass surgeries.

The procedure

You can also learn more about the different types of procedures in performing gastric bypass surgery through the information center. With that knowledge, you can have an idea on what the weight loss surgeon is going to do to you.

You need to be informed

Weight loss surgery consists of various types. Each procedure can cause a variety of restrictions to the body so you need to have a complete understanding on how each procedure can affect you during and after surgery before going under the knife.

Be guided

The weight loss surgery information center is also the place where you can be guided on what you can do to prepare yourself before surgery. It is also where you can be guided on what you can do and what you can expect after surgery. The information center can also advise you on how you can live healthily after you get better from surgery.

Before jumping in

Let your new knowledge from the information center guide you when it comes to making your decision on whether to undergo weight loss surgery or not. Remember that being informed is crucial especially if you are planning to go through a life-changing event, such as surgery.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret


By Phillip England

Lasik Facts

The latest medical answer to solve the complications of visionary problems has been the LASIK eye surgery. A number of people who are tired of wearing glasses and contact lenses have opted for LASIK eye surgery. They have opted for a permanent solution to their eye problems. However, it is crucial to know certain facts about this new development before an individual goes ahead to try a LASIK surgery, as it is not wise to take chances with the most sensitive sense of the body.

To begin with, individuals are required to know that a LASIK surgery is a laser refractive surgery that involves the reshaping of the cornea. Cornea is a very delicate part of the eyes and needs proper care and operative procedures to ensure success in the healing process of an effective LASIK surgery. A LASIK surgery is usually not recommended for people below 18 years of age as the vision before that age does not develop completely. In some cases, the minimum age might even be restricted to 21. It is not recommended for pregnant women and people who are undergoing specific prescribed drugs such as oral prednisone or Accutane. The general health of the person needs to be good. Individuals suffering from myopia can postpone the surgery until the refraction is stabilized. Otherwise, it might require repeated procedures, called "refinement".

Although, tried and tested by many patients, LASIK surgery does not guarantee that patients will never require glasses in the future. According to case studies, there have been instances in which people have continued with their glasses. It is essential to know all the consequences and complications that might occur after the surgery. The suggestions and opinions of an experienced and qualified doctor might be taken for this regarding the eligibility for the surgery as well as its aftereffects. The risks of LASIK surgery include overcorrection, undercorrection, inflammation, infections, and damage of the cornea, and hence require sufficient care. Although the statistics of the complications after the surgery may be less common and variable according to individual conditions, it is not always wise to only bank on the statistics. It is better to evaluate individual problem levels. It is recommended to consider the other alternatives as well before opting for a LASIK surgery unless it is absolutely necessary.

Lasik provides detailed information on Lasik, Lasik Eye Surgery, Lasik Surgery, Lasik Complications and more. Lasik is affiliated with Lasik Eye Surgery Information.


By Kevin Stith

Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery

Let’s face facts; obesity is ripe today in America and rising on a global scale in western civilisation – where are we going wrong. Being a health and fitness nut I would simply recommend eating a balanced diet and exercise often, but you’ve heard all that before, and it doesn’t work for you, right? That’s ok, losing weight is tough, especially for those who some doctors would class as morbidly obese, which are those people who weight 50-100% their ideal body weight.

For these people – and you may be one of them, which is why you found your way to one of my many articles on weight loss surgery, diet simply isn’t a viable solution, and some seek a more permanent solution like weight loss surgery.

The most popular weight loss surgery as we all know is the gastric bypass. The stomach stapling, the miracle cure, the ‘life’s never been so good’ surgery as some marketing wizards would have you believe – and for some it certainly is.

Weight loss surgery can bring quick and long lasting results of permanent weight loss, though I certainly don’t recommend it as a convenient solution to obesity, but those morbidly obese with their immediate health in danger I would certainly recommend researching the area of weight loss surgery to find out more.

My website is one such place where you can find a large area dedicated to gastric bypass surgery, and there are many others around the Internet.

Article by Beverley Brooke, visit the section on gastric bypass on her website for more information on gastric bypass and weight loss surgery http://www.healthandfinesse.com/gastric-bypass.html

By Beverley Brooke

Bariatric Surgery Costs

The cost of Bariatric surgery can be quite high. The typical price of an operation can be $25,000 or more. Medical insurance coverage varies by state and insurance provider, and although some states have legislation in place that requires insurers to offer weight loss surgery for patients, providing it meets health criteria laid down by the National Institutes of Health, other states do not. This means that patients who would benefit from bariatric surgery often have to contend with providers that have not yet accepted that this kind of weight loss surgery can deliver powerful medical benefits that will save them money in the long run. A patient encountering this problem may have to work with his or her surgeon to prove to the health insurance provider that the proposed surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but a potentially life-saving operation that will minimize future health problems.

Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery and are on Medicare will be glad to know that it covers weight loss surgery for morbidly obese patients with an obesity-related or condition. Morbid obesity is defined as 100 or more pounds overweight or a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.

Of course, the costs do not end once a patient successfully undergoes bariatric surgery. Because weight loss can be significant, many individuals are left with loose, sagging skin that no longer has the elasticity to fit the new, slimmer shape. Since neither exercise nor diet will help tighten loose skin, many bariatric patients choose plastic surgery as a remedy. The cost of bariatric-related plastic surgery operations can vary significantly, depending on the patient’s condition, complications, the type of anesthesia, and other factors.

Some of the more popular post-bariatric surgery procedures include: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), body lift (circumferential panniculectomy), brachioplasty (arm lift), breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, face and/or neck lift, and thigh lift.

Bariatric Surgery Info provides detailed information on bariatric surgery, including cost, patients, centers, diet, financing, and complications, as well as specific procedures like laparoscopic and bypass surgery. Bariatric Surgery Info is the sister site of Gastric Bypass Surgery Web.

By Eddie Tobey

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery as it also referred to, has become very popular in the U.S. and around the world in the past two decades. Today millions of gynecological and general surgical procedures are performed utilizing minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive surgery replaces large open incisions with a series of small tube like devices known as trocars (typically 3 to 5 per procedure); a video camera and small surgical instruments are inserted through the trocars to perform surgical procedures. A good example of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery is gallbladder surgery. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery became popular in the early 1990’s. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure and most patients are able to return to work and most activities within four to seven days. In contrast gallbladder surgery performed through open incisions involved four to seven day hospital stays and most patients were not able to return to work for six to eight weeks.

Minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery was originally performed by gynecologists for diagnostic purposes in the 1960’s. Over time as clinical experience grew and laparoscopic surgical tools became more advanced, surgeons were able to perform more complex surgeries. In the late 1980’s general surgeons began to investigate and adopt laparoscopic techniques. Today surgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures including gallbladder removal, hernia repair, appendectomy, exploratory laparoscopy, colon resections, hysterectomy, tubal ligation, and more advanced procedures such as gastric bypass with roux-en-y for weight loss in morbidly obese patients.

The patient benefits of minimally invasive surgery are dramatic in comparison to traditional open surgery. Due to the many benefits such as less pain, reduced scarring, lower risks of infection and post operative incisional hernias, patients have begun to demand surgeons consider the least invasive approaches in meeting their surgical needs. The internet and news media are rich with information regarding surgical options, as well as offering information on the best minimally invasive surgeons, and centers of excellence for minimally invasive surgery. Patients requiring surgery should take it upon themselves to consider all options before agreeing to a treatment plan.

In the past year there has been much discussion surrounding the next generation of minimally invasive surgery, which is commonly referred to as NOTES. Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery involves the elimination of skin incisions by accessing internal organs through natural orifices such as the mouth, anus or vagina. While very early in its development many thought leading surgeons believe NOTES will again revolutionize surgical treatment and further reduce the pain of surgery while decreasing recovery time.

Minimally invasive surgery will continue to evolve over the next few years as NOTES and hybrid procedures become more commonly accepted surgical alternatives. Thought leading surgeons in partnership with industry continue to aggressively pursue the next generation of less invasive surgery in the hopes of further improving the quality of life of the surgical patient.


Firoj Khan is an online author and publisher who extensively writes for quality website like http://www.apolloendo.com . Apolloendo deals with the surgical issues like Transgastric surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. For more informations please visit Apolloendo Endosurgery



By: Shelly Cruz

How to Make Breasts Grow with Herbal Supplements That Work

Bigger boobs, why? Huge boobs don’t make you smarter, taller or less likely to get cancer. And still breast size enhancement tops the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s 2006 list as the number one cosmetic surgical procedure performed on women.

We can find the real reason for breast enlargement among boob enhancement fans like Pamela Anderson, Anna Nicole Smith and Jessica Simpson. Bigger boobs spell more attention. They also equal more expensive, hard-to-locate bras and back pain, but no one seems to care about that.

So how can you get those attention grabbing, what-color-are-your-eyes-again sized breasts without silicon implants? Perhaps you could buy over-priced supplements that normally work. Or you can take the savvy shopper avenue and just purchase the most effective herbs that help plump up your boob size.

Looking at the ingredients lists of most breast enhancement supplements, you’ll find names like: Fenugreek, saw palmetto, wild yam, mother’s worth, black cohosh, blessed thistle herb, hops, damiana and fennel seed.

And this list alone should rack up an avalanche of questions in your head. For instance, can you safely take these herbs with your current lifestyle and prescriptions. Managing five to ten herbs is no easy task. So why not take away the complications and high price tags accompanying breast enhancement pills and just use the most potent ingredients like wild yam and fenugreek.

To make this work, buy a bottle of wild yam herbs where each capsule contains at least 500 milligrams of wild yam. Next, grab a bottle of fenugreek, with each tablet or capsule containing 500 milligrams.

The 500 milligrams quantity is important because in this dosage, the capsules will prove effective enough to enhance your breast size over the course of thirty days. Now, to promote larger breasts just take the wild yam and fenugreek capsules three times each day.

Preferably, do not take the capsules within one hour of exercising of strenuous physical exertions, to avoid metabolizing the herbs and not having them available to boost your boob size. Also, try to take the third daily dosage just before bedtime.

Within thirty days, your breast should feel fuller and less saggy. You will not have EEE sized breasts, but they should feel and look more voluptuous.

Source:

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2006 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics. http://www.surgery.org/download/2006stats.pdf . Accessed November 16, 2007.


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By: Naweko San-joyz

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is a new form of minimally invasive surgery which eliminates traditional skin incisions by accessing internal body cavities through natural orifices such as the mouth. NOTES represents a radical breakthrough in less invasive surgery. By eliminating skin incisions patients have dramatically reduced post operative pain, less scarring, fewer potential complications, and are able to return to most normal activities in a fraction of the time in comparison to laparoscopic surgery.

NOTES was originally pioneered and studied by the Apollo Group (a group of world renowned gastroenterologists and surgeons), and in the past few years it has gained significant interest in thought leading institutions around the world. Today research is being conducted in the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia. Thought leading physicians from Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Medical University South Carolina, Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, Ohio State Medical Center and many others are conducting research and performing the first NOTES procedures. At present approximately 200 NOTES procedures have been performed throughout the world.

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) can be further defined as Translumenal surgery (TS) and Endolumenal surgery (ES). Translumenal surgical procedures are performed through a natural orifice such as the mouth and involve passing a scope through the wall of the stomach, GI tract, or vagina to gain access to internal organs. In gallbladder surgery as an example the scope and surgical instruments would be passed down the mouth, and through a small incision in the stomach wall. The gallbladder would be then removed though the mouth without skin incisions. Endoluminal surgical incisions are procedures conducted exclusively within the lumen of the GI tract or internal organs. Examples of these procedures would be excision of superficial lesions, mucosal resections and new and evolving obesity procedures.

Many experts believe this major paradigm shift in surgery will forever change surgery as it has been performed historically. Today, basic science research is being conducted to fully answer questions around post operative infection rates compared to traditional and laparoscopic surgery, safe closure techniques of internal organs, and effective surgical technique. Additionally, leading surgical researchers are working closely with innovative device companies such as Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. based in Austin, TX to develop revolutionary new devices to enable these new less invasive approaches to surgery. Leading surgical societies such as the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS), are sponsoring research to responsibly advance less invasive surgical techniques.

Surgical patients of tomorrow will have less invasive, less painful surgical options available to them as this exciting movement progresses. Some experts predict that as high as 50% of general surgery procedures could be done as NOTES procedures in the future.


Firoj Khan is an online author and publisher who extensively writes for quality website like http://www.apolloendo.com . Apolloendo deals with the surgical issues like Transgastric surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. For more informations please visit Apolloendo Endosurgery


By: Shelly Cruz

Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is growing to epidemic proportions in the U.S. and industrialized nations around the world. Obesity and obesity related diseases have become the second leading cause of death in the U.S... In the U.S. alone there are over 65 million Americans with BMI’s (Body Mass Index) over 30, and of these there are 15 million Americans with BMI’s over 40, otherwise known as morbidly obese, or 100 pounds over target body weight. Obesity can be responsible for severe health complications or co-morbidities. These can include Type II diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, infertility, arthritis in weight bearing joints, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and some forms of cancer. Many individuals suffering from obesity have tried dieting, drug therapies, exercise, and psychotherapy, and are still unsuccessful in losing weight. In some patients Bariatric surgery may be the only alternative.

Bariatric surgery was originally pioneered by Drs. Mason and Ito in the 1960’s. Over the years there have been multiple variations to the original surgical approaches pioneered by Dr. Mason. Today gastric bypass with roux-en-y is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure and is approximately 65% effective in losing target weight. Early procedures were performed through large mid-line open incisions and were considered painful with slow recovery periods of up to two months following surgery. In 1995, Drs. Whitgrove and Clarke performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass with roux-en-y procedures which radically decreased post operative pain and allowed for quicker convalescence and return to normal activity. Today approximately 200,000 people per year undergo this procedure in the U.S. In some cases surgery may be the only option for losing life threatening weight.

While considered highly effective, gastric bypass with roux-en-y involves resecting a large portion of the stomach and re-routing the digestive tract to aid in weight loss. In 2001 the lap band was introduced in the U.S. which offered a simpler less invasive procedure that is considered fully reversible. The lap band, in the simplest terms is a band that is surgically placed around the top of the stomach and tightened to create a small pouch which limits the patient’s food intake resulting in weight loss. The lap band has grown in popularity in recent years and is now the leading surgical treatment for obesity. Patients considering Bariatric surgery should consult a surgeon that offers both procedures to understand what surgical solution best meets their needs.

With the advent of NOTES, or Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (performing surgical procedures through natural orifices such as the mouth), thought leading surgeons are pioneering new endoluminal procedures which require no skin incisions. This approach was originally conceived in 2005 by Drs. Chung and Kantsevoy of the Apollo Group. They published their experiences in placing an internal lap band which mimicked the lap band and resulted in acceptable weight loss. Others have explored endolumenal gastric partitioning, intragastric balloons and more sophisticated technologies such as placement of pacing or blocking devices which regulate vagus nerve function. Ultimately, experts believe in the near future patients will have outpatient endoluminal less invasive options to consider, which will provide acceptable weight loss in many patients while reducing the risks of surgery and decreasing recovery time following Bariatric procedures.


Firoj Khan is an online author and publisher who extensively writes for quality website like http://www.apolloendo.com . Apolloendo deals with the surgical issues like Transgastric surgery and Laparoscopic surgery. For more informations please visit Apolloendo Endosurgery

By: Shelly Cruz