Plastic surgery takes a great deal of commitment, which most patients consider as an investment in themselves. The financial costs of cosmetic procedures are often in the thousands, but for those who don’t necessarily have $6,000 tucked away under the mattress, there are a number of available financing options for cosmetic surgery. A recent article on Fox Business highlights some of the many options that are currently available.

First of all, it’s important to note that cosmetic surgery is typically not covered under insurance, except in cases involving reconstructive surgery after an illness or accident. Costs associated with these procedures include the use of surgical facilities, anesthesia, and other medical fees. Surgeries such as breast augmentation, facelift, and rhinoplasty can run into the thousands, so it’s important to consider your financing options.

Common Financing Options for Plastic Surgery

Medical credit cards are a very popular option, as they usually come with reasonable interest rates and payment plans. Their use is limited to medical expenses. CareCredit is a highly reputable healthcare financing plan that is recognized in doctor’s offices nationwide. Regular credit cards are also a good option, although patients should be careful to avoid tying up their credit line.

Bank loans, either in the form of a personal loan, home equity loan, or line of credit, are another option for prospective patients. However, it’s important to keep an eye on interest rates, the housing market, and the stability of your money flow. Regardless of what type of credit you might receive, always be sure to read the fine print before signing on to any plan.

Another option is the use of cash savings, which has the benefit of avoiding borrowing or interest charges. Many people in uncertain financial situations may benefit from waiting until they can save up the money for their cosmetic procedure.

Other possibilities for financing include 401(k) loans, loans from family and friends, and gifts from others. Regardless of what type of financing that you use for your cosmetic surgery, always be sure that you’re ready for unknown contingencies. This way, your outer beauty will be matched by a sense of financial well-being.

Lip augmentation is one of the hottest new trends in plastic surgery.  With injections of dermal fillers or facial fat grafting, luscious lips can often be accomplished in less than an hour. But what happens when you take it too far? You get what’s commonly called “trout pout” – overdone lips that can make you look fishy. A recent article on the ASAPS website highlights the issue of the “trout pout” and offers advice on how to avoid it.

When lips are expanded through lip augmentation, they begin to lose their distinctive shape, so that a balance between size and form is necessary to ensure the best possible results. However, writes the ASAPS, “trout pout” can result “from the union of a patient with bad taste and a plastic surgeon with bad taste.” Poor results from this procedure can last for several months when using fillers such as Juvederm, or years with facial fat grafting techniques.

How can you avoid the dreaded “trout pout”? Observing proper lip proportion is essential. According to one Detroit plastic surgeon who was interviewed on Today Health, “the lower lip should be one and a half times the size of the upper lip.” When patients insist on larger upper lips and doctors give into their demands, the upper and lower lips resemble each other in a way that appears unnatural.

How can you make sure to avoid “trout pout” when going in for your lip augmentation? Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in lip augmentation is important to ensuring the best possible results. Ask to see before-and-after photos of previous patients. By consulting with an experienced and conscientious surgeon, you can be sure to avoid undesirable results.

It’s official: chin augmentation is the top-trending plastic surgery. According to new statistics released earlier this week by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), chin augmentation is the fastest growing plastic surgery trend in the United States. The number of procedures in 2011 was nearly 27,000, which represents a 71 percent increase over 2010.

The statistics indicate that chin augmentation was the fastest growing plastic surgery among all demographics, ranging from a 66 percent increase among women to a 76 percent increase among men. This increase was greater than the increases to breast augmentation, Botox, and liposuction combined. The largest increase was seen in patients age 40 or older.

Why Are Chin Implants so Popular?

“The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging. People are considering chin augmentation as a way to restore their youthful look just like a facelift or eyelid surgery. We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be. Chin implants can make a dramatic difference.”

– ASPS President Malcolm Z. Roth, MD

Besides video chat technology, the ASPS also attribute the rising popularity of chin augmentation surgery to the aging population and the desire for workplace success. Plastic surgery to enhance the appearance of the face is one way for professionals to maintain their youthful looks.

“We know that CEOs tend to be tall, attractive, good-looking people. We now know that these people also tend to have a stronger chin. As a result, people subconsciously associate a stronger chin with more authority, self-confidence and trustworthiness.”

– ASPS member surgeon Darrick Antell, MD

Other facial cosmetic procedures that experienced an increase from 2010-2011 were lip augmentation (49 percent increase), cheek implant (47 percent), soft tissue fillers (7 percent), and facelift (5 percent).

A hack plastic surgeon who lured women from Manhattan to the Dominican Republic for cheap liposuctions has been fined and deported after his surgeries left seven patients permanently disfigured, according to a recent report in the New York Post. This is just one of a number of recent stories highlighting the dangers of cosmetic tourism and unqualified practitioners.

Hector Cabral, a 52-year-old plastic surgeon, is licensed to practice in the Dominican Republic but not the U.S. His scheme involved signing up patients in New York and having them fly to Santo Domingo for the surgeries. In October, he pleaded guilty to a charge of unauthorized practice of medicine, but he faces no further prosecution in the U.S. for his actions.

According to the terms of the sentence, which was established through a deal with the State Attorney General’s office, Cabral will be required to perform 250 hours of community service in the Dominican Republic. He has been barred from returning to the U.S. for 3 years and will have to pay $23,000 in restitution to his victims.

These measures are likely to be cold comfort to the women who have been disfigured by Cabral’s actions. Lissette Mejjia, a 36-year-old resident of the Bronx, told the Post that “he [Cabral] promised me that he was going to transform me, make me more beautiful, more [confident]… I came out of his office hypnotized.” Mejjia and six other women experienced post-operative complications, as skin on their torsos and hips blackened.

Plastic surgery can change a person’s life for better or worse, depending on the skills and qualifications of the man or woman holding the knife. Liposuction and other plastic surgeries carry a number of risks that need to be fully understood before committing to surgery with a trusted and reputable practitioner.

While plastic surgery during the course of a lunch break is obviously impossible, there are a variety of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that can easily be scheduled amidst a busy schedule. A recent article on FaceForum, an online facial plastic surgery resource, highlights some of the options that are available for patients on the go.

As FaceForum writer Christine Adamo points out, quick minimally-invasive treatments remain popular even during tough economic times. She identifies speed, convenience, minimum recovery, and fast results as the key advantages of “lunch break” cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of lunch break procedures is continually on the rise, as more procedures are being studied, approved, and brought to market.

Adamo’s Tips for Lunch Break Procedures

• Be aware that some procedures take different amounts of time for different patients.
• Consult with your plastic surgeon and ask how long it may take.
• Ask whether you will be able to apply makeup after the procedure.
• Ask about possible redness or swelling.

The most popular approach is the “lunch hour facelift,” which refers to a set of procedures that offer facial rejuvenation without the need to go under the knife. Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse can be injected into the face in a single short session. Botox works by paralyzing certain muscles and allowing others to stretch, while dermal fillers add volume to the face and erase wrinkles and folds. The results are often comparable to the benefits of a facelift with none of the downtime.

Lip augmentation with dermal fillers is also a popular technique. By using the volumizing power of fillers such as Juvederm, a plastic surgeon can improve the appearance of the lips, making them larger and more sensual.

Microdermabrasion is a gentler alternative to traditional dermabrasion that can often be performed within an hour. This abrasive technique involves using tiny crystals that gently scrub away dead and damaged skin. This reveals healthier skin and stimulates the body’s healing process.

Tissue expansion is a common procedure for post-mastectomy patients who are preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, but it can often be painful and time-consuming, requiring multiple trips to a doctor’s office. According to a recent CBS news report, a new at-home tissue expansion device may soon provide an alternative.

A recent study for Columbia University Medical Center applied the experimental treatment to help Barbara Baxter, who had a mastectomy last year. A small device was implanted in her chest, with a remote control that would release small amounts of carbon dioxide, which expanded the breast tissue and muscle. According to Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, who spoke with CBS:

“[Baxter] can do it through her clothes, she can be at work, she can be at home, she presses a little button and it releases a small dose of compressed CO2.

“She can do multiple small doses during each and every day. She has the potential with this to complete the process much more quickly.”

The device, known as the AirExpander, offered Baxter the opportunity to avoid saline injections and routine visits to her doctor’s office. She created enough space for her implant in six days, and hopes that the device will be made available to other patients:

“It’s a piece of cake compared to the other way I think. I haven’t had the other way but it didn’t look that pleasant to me.”

According to the news source, the AirExpander remains in clinical trials, but the company will likely apply for FDA approval by the end of 2012. If the device proves to be safe and effective in broader trials, it may soon provide a viable alternative for thousands of women facing tissue expansion after mastectomy.

The hands are among the most expressive and individual parts of the human body, but represent a major challenge in the field of cosmetic enhancement. Wrinkles, brown spots, and veins can age a person’s hands as easily as their face, but hopes for hand rejuvenation face significant challenges. Fortunately, with the advent of new products and technologies, hand-rejuvenation methods are coming into the spotlight.

Hand Rejuvenation Challenges

As a recent article in the New York Times points out, there are many challenges in surgical hand rejuvenation that make this approach untenable. Surgical removal of excess skin would cause significant scarring and poor healing in a part of the body with numerous moving parts, according to New York dermatologist Dr. Neil S. Sadick.

Plastic surgeon Dr. John F. Farell agrees that the risks of surgery are too great. “You’d have to literally take a scissors and separate the tissue, and you might interfere with some of the tendons.”

What about Botox? Unfortunately, since it works by inhibiting muscle movement, Botox is impractical for hand rejuvenation. The hand is a delicately balanced system of muscles that are all required for various tasks. Paralyzing a single muscle in order to cause wrinkles to disappear could have devastating consequences for the hand’s function, at least until the effects of the Botox wear off.

Hand Rejuvenation Solutions

Fortunately, there are a variety of techniques that have been developed in recent years that can rejuvenate the hands without surgery. Fat grafting and laser treatments are often touted for their ability to increase volume and reduce the appearance of blemishes.

Some surgeons, like Dr. Keith Marcus, have begun to advertise a “hand lift.” This procedure lasts only a few minutes and involves using injectable dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Radiesse. These fillers can rejuvenate the hands by adding volume and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The effects of the hand lift last about a year and can be renewed with repeated treatments.

“From your 30s to your 50s, how you sleep is important,” the surgeon told the Herald. “Certain sleep positions leave sleep lines on your face, which become wrinkles on your face. Sleeping on your side or using a rough pillow can cause sleep lines and wrinkles. Sleeping on your back is the best option, but people find it uncomfortable.”

There are a variety of other techniques that people can use to avoid developing or displaying signs of facial aging:

• keeping well hydrated
• using gentle facial wash instead of soap
• protect the skin from UV radiation with sunscreen

“Sun damage causes lots of problems to your skin, not to mention cancerous growth,” the surgeon said in the interview. “Your body can’t heal the sun damage unless you give it time to heal, and you can’t give it time to heal without using sunscreen.”

Of course, cosmetic procedures are often able to supplement the benefits offered by lifestyle-based anti-aging techniques. Botox works by paralyzing certain muscles in the face so that others can extend and remove the appearance of wrinkles, while dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse cause wrinkles to disappear by padding out the skin. Microdermabrasion and surgical techniques such as facelift and brow lift are also highly effective in resolving the signs of aging. Combined with daily anti-aging strategies, these treatments can offer dramatic results.

The Brow Lift Surgery That Can Cure Migraines

The most famous example of a cosmetic procedure doubling as migraine treatment is Botox, which was used in migraine treatments long before the FDA approved it for cosmetic purposes. In recent years, however, a cosmetic surgical procedure has also been applied to treat severe migraines. A modified version of the traditional forehead lift, it has been shown to offer dramatic improvements, although only for those who have frequent migraines and don’t respond to preventive treatments.

Limited Awareness Among Many Surgeons

Despite most plastic surgeons being aware of migraine surgery, with some expressing interest in performing the procedure, the study identified “significant barriers” to the surgery’s increased use. A survey of 3,500 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) surgeons revealed:

• 18 percent had performed surgery for migraine treatment, of which more than 80 percent said the surgery improved the patients’ symptoms.
• Most where at least somewhat familiar with studies indicating the effectiveness of migraine surgery.
• Many didn’t feel sufficiently familiar with the technique to perform the surgery, although 60 percent said that they would be interested in offering migraine surgery if a patient were referred to them by a board-certified neurologist.
• Most surgeons didn’t know that migraine surgery is covered by many major health insurers, including Medicare.

According to the authors of the study, greater awareness of migraine surgery is needed to ensure that more Americans receive relief from their migraine symptoms. “Increased referral of suitable patients by neurologists and improved familiarity with the concept and techniques of migraine surgery may motivate more plastic surgeons to perform migraine surgery.”

Injections of Botox can be used to treat migraines and muscle spasms but is most often employed to treat crow’s feet and other facial wrinkles. An alternative to facelift surgery and wrinkle fillers, the product works by temporarily paralyzing targeted muscles and allowing others to stretch. According to ASAPS statistics, more than 370,000 individuals (15.2 percent of all Botox users) between the ages of 19 and 34 underwent the procedure in 2010.

While there is no definitive evidence that Botox injections can prevent wrinkles, many have contested that by paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkle formation in the first place, the practice can be effective in the long run.

One doctor who spoke with TheGloss.com about the use of preventative Botox said that he has been getting excellent results for more than a decade. However, using the product for preventative reasons doesn’t mean that you use less, since the amount needed depends on the individual.

“Botox works by blocking muscle movement,” he told TheGloss.com. “To relax someone’s muscle takes the same amount at 20 or 50. Dosages would not change with age, it would just be more dependent on what worked best for each individual.”

Patients who pursue preventative Botox must have their treatments repeated every three to six months, since the drug’s effects are temporary. They should be sure to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is fully aware of the risks and long-term effects of Botox treatments.