As reported in a recent story in Digital Journal, women are now able to choose from a wide range of surgical support garments following their breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction. This can be particularly important in the hot summer months, as noted by Dawn Cover, the president of Nouvelle, Inc., a major producer of surgical support garments: “We find that especially during the summer months, comfort is a huge indicator of how fast patients heal following surgery.”

Improved Recovery Comfort Leads to Better Breast Lift Results

One of the main differences between surgical recovery garments and normal, everyday-use bras is that surgical recovery garments are built for comfort when worn 24 hours a day for several weeks after a surgery. This is certainly a priority for the design of the garment, according to Cover, who says that, “Our design team has carefully crafted each bra to be worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure surgical sites, stitches, drains, etc. are comfortably protected and secure.”

Some of these popular recovery garment styles include:

• Bras with Ice Packs: These bras have special pockets that are perfectly designed to support exchangeable ice packs for enhanced comfort.
• Bra Bands: The smallest and simplest form of breast surgery recovery garments, these bands are worn around the breasts to hold them tightly in place. In some cases, they can be worn with your regular non-underwire bras.
• Bra Vests: For those women who are recovering from multiple procedures, these vests with or without sleeves can help to support several body areas, giving all-around comfort and support of the arms, stomach and breasts.

Each surgical recovery garment should be chosen to specifically address your unique needs and recovery, and will be recommended during your pre-surgical consultation.

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The growth in this demographic has led to increased dermal filler and Botox injections for these men and women as well, according to a recent story in Skin & Allergy News.

More Men and Women With Darker Skin Choosing Cosmetic Procedures

According to Dr. Valerie Callender, a dermatologist at Howard University, “Your typical skin of color patient is 45 years old, has some volume loss, some infraorbital hollowing, and is definitely concerned about laugh lines.”

Patients with darker skin pigmentation are at an increased risk of forming keloids, a type of scarring that may be caused by injections but is rare in those with lighter skin. Dr. Callender says that, “The No. 1 tip is to minimize the number of injections to minimize the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. If there is erythema, apply a topical corticosteroid.”

One advantage for those with darker pigmentation is that an increased amount of skin pigmentation tends to have a protective benefit against UV aging, helping darker skin to look 10 or even 20 years younger than comparable lighter skin.

The unique characteristics of the various types of skin have not been studied conclusively with regards to specific cosmetic treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers and other skin treatments. Dr. Callender noted that more trials are needed in the future to determine short and long-term effects of the many available treatments on patients with darker skin.
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According to a recent Reuters report, the FDA has announced that this dangerous imitation is potentially “counterfeit, contaminated, improperly stored and transported, ineffective and unsafe.” For this reason, seeing an experienced cosmetic provider is of absolute importance, as these reputable locations will have long-term working relationships with their Botox suppliers, making them less likely to receive the fake Botox.

Botox Safe and Effective With Reputable Providers

As the most popular cosmetic procedure in the world, Botox has also been extremely helpful in treating a range of medical conditions, in addition to its cosmetic uses for facial lines and wrinkles. It is also used for headaches, overactive bladder and underarm sweating, with almost half of its use for cosmetic purposes and half of its use for medical reasons.

The cosmetic uses of Botox have made it the gold standard of anti-aging therapy, with millions of people relying on these injections worldwide. It is often used as a part of combination treatments with dermal fillers, skin treatments and even cosmetic surgery such as face lifts, neck lifts and eyebrow lifts.

The widespread use of this treatment makes the spread of counterfeit medication a particularly dangerous situation. The FDA believes that more than 350 providers may recently have received this and other counterfeit products. The fake Botox seems to be coming from a specific company that markets itself as “Online Botox Pharmacy,” “Onlinebotox.com” and “OnlineBotox.”

In addition, this report has led to legislative action in the United States, with more action likely internationally. Bills hoping to improve the tracking of Botox and other medications have been introduced in both the US House and Senate, with the possible goal of tracing each unit individually.

Photo by Guy with the camera on Flickr.

The Benelli breast lift is the perfect solution for those looking to create moderate firming, lifting and shaping of the breasts without adding additional volume. This procedure uses the natural breast tissue that is already present, and tightens and reshapes it to a more balanced and youthful contour.

Benelli (Donut) Breast Lift Provides Great Results with the Smallest Incisions

The Benelli technique involves an incision around the outside of the areola, in a donut shape, and as a result the incision lines are not visible in swimwear or underwear. In time, they will blend it very well with the areola itself. Excess tissue is removed from around the areola, and the remaining tissue is firmed and secured in place.

While women looking for a dramatic change to very large breasts or those with a very prominent droop may not be able to use this technique, it is applicable for many of the moderate-scope breast lift patients. Patients looking to greatly decrease the size of their breasts may prefer a breast reduction procedure, while those looking for a volume increase would be better off with a breast augmentation procedure. These procedures may sometimes be performed using the Benelli incisions.

Another advantage of the Benelli procedure is that it allows for reshaping of the areolas. Some women may wish to adjust the size or shape of their areolas to make them more symmetrical, or to decrease/increase their overall size for a better balance with their breasts. All of these aspects are taken into consideration during the initial consultation, to make sure that the best incision technique is used to perfectly fit the needs and goals of each patient.

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Thoroughly discussing the plan for your breast lift recovery period will help to ensure that you have the swiftest and smoothest healing process possible. During your pre-surgery consultations, you will go over the expected stages of recovery, including a personalized schedule based on the details of your situation.

Planning for Your Breast Lift Recovery Improves Long Term Results

Breast lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia, which means that you may feel slightly groggy or tired for the first few hours after your surgery. In some cases, small surgical drains may be placed in the area to help with the removal of any excess fluids. The breasts are covered with gauze, and a specialized garment or bra may be used to help support the breasts and keep the drains in place.

The first few days of recovery are often spent at home, but it may soon be possible to increase the activity levels, with many women returning to work and normal schedules after about a week. A special compression surgical bra will be worn for the first 2-3 months to promote proper healing, decrease swelling and improve overall comfort.

For the best long-term results, it is often recommended to wear highly supportive bras after any breast surgery, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, to minimize the natural process of drooping and keep the breasts in their new position, preserving their contours. Strenuous activity or exercise is often discouraged for the first month, including lifting arms over the head or carrying heavy items. Stomach sleeping should also be avoided for the first few weeks to limit the pressure on the breasts.

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The most popular cosmetic surgery performed in preparation for summer is liposuction, which can be targeted at specific areas to provide balance to your overall figure. This can be particularly helpful when wanting to look your best on upcoming beach trips and vacations.

Liposuction, Breast and Stomach Procedures Popular for Summer

For more advanced removal of fat and excess skin, tummy tucks and other body contouring procedures may provide the best overall results. These procedures can create a slimmer overall figure while removing tissue and skin that could not be removed with targeted exercise. For the best results, it is important to schedule these procedures several months before the first summertime sun exposure in order to to guarantee the best recovery.

Another popular area of summer cosmetic procedures is breast surgery. Big events, such as weddings, anniversaries, or vacations may provide the inspiration necessary to schedule a procedure that you have long considered. The most popular breast summer procedures are breast augmentations and breast lifts, which can help provide balance to the overall body contour.

Other body shaping procedures that are popular in the summer months are arm lifts, thigh lifts and buttocks lifts. These procedures may be used in combination as needed to give the best possible result on your required timeline. To ensure that your recovery period will line up with your busy summer schedule, make an appointment soon for a personal consultation. This will help you to plan out the best treatment and recovery plan to meet your goals before summer begins in earnest.

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For many, the most popular procedures are non-invasive injections such as Botox and dermal fillers, which can improve the facial appearance with minimal downtime and quick results. Other, more dramatic results are achieved with surgical procedures, which need to be scheduled further in advance.

Both Men and Women Choose Cosmetic Procedures Before Weddings

Depending on the wedding timeline, surgical or non-surgical procedures may be best for your unique situation. Some of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for brides-to-be and their wedding parties include breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tucks and liposuction. Liposuction is particularly popular due to the targeted results, relatively low cost and minimal downtime. For men, body contouring procedures and chin surgeries are popular for wedding preparation.

However, the most commonly performed pre-wedding cosmetic procedures are non-surgical. Botox injections and dermal fillers are often given in the weeks leading up to the wedding, to provide the best facial balance for those keepsake wedding photos. Often these injections are given throughout the winter as well, in order to find the best combination of injection locations and amounts that will achieve the desired result.

Other non-surgical procedures that are often performed prior to weddings include skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion and laser therapies. Chemical peels may also be performed to improve the overall skin texture. These peels may require a varying amount of recovery time before the wedding, depending on the severity of the individual peel. For the best possible results, schedule a consultation far in advance to work out the best combination of procedures for you personal goals.

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According to the study, which was discussed recently in the New York Daily News, 90% of US men and women feel that women are under a greater pressure to appear young. The survey also showed that women cross the “old” threshold about five years sooner than men, who get away with looking “distinguished” rather than elderly. Men were even found to peak in physical attractiveness at an older age than women, around 34 for men in comparison to 30 for women.

Many of Those Polled Would Consider Cosmetic Surgery

In the words of Kristin Perrotta, executive editor of Allure, “People overwhelmingly said they were concerned about the effects of aging. They were concerned about how it would affect their attractiveness to the opposite sex and particularly with women, how aging would affect their career.” In fact, nearly twice as many women in their fifties reported that they felt they had to look young in order to succeed at their career.

While only 5% of the 2,000 people who participated in the survey had previously undergone cosmetic procedures, 42% of women and 18% of men reported that they would think about it as a future option.

The most common anti-aging procedures are non-surgical injections, like Botox or dermal fillers. Surgical procedures, such as brow lifts, face lifts, and breast lifts are particularly impactful for giving an impression of youthfulness. And this is an important factor, since according to Perrotta, “this survey definitely shows that aging, when we are talking about appearance, is a real emotional touch point for both men and women, no matter whether they are 20, 40, 60.”

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The study, which was conducted by Ruhr Universitat and the University of Basal, worked with 544 first-time surgical patients to establish information about those who choose cosmetic procedures. In addition, the study included 264 people who were interested in cosmetic surgery but chose not to get it, and 1,000 people who were not interested. The study was written up in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, and recently discussed in the NY Daily News.

Realistic Expectations Crucial to a Successful Plastic Surgery Outcome

Prior to their plastic surgery, there were no real happiness or self-esteem differences between those intending to have surgery and those who were not. However, when the breast lift, face lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation patients were interviewed again at three, six and twelve months post-surgery, the surgical patients were noticeably improved in these areas.

In the words of the study authors, “these patients felt healthier, were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and found the operated body feature in particular, but also their body as a whole, more attractive. No adverse effects were observed.”

Another part of the study involved assessing how realistic the patient’s expectations were regarding their plastic surgery. According to these numbers, only about 12% of potential patients had unrealistic expectations of their outcomes and the effect their surgery would have on their lives. The American Psychological Association noted that previous research had firmly established a link between dissatisfaction, poor outcomes and unreasonable expectations.

Overall, other statistics collected by the survey showed that woman remain the driving force behind plastic surgery. According to those numbers, 87% of patients who choose cosmetic procedures are women.

Photo by Stf. O on Flickr.

Both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are often in demand at this time of year, and while most non-surgical procedures have very quick results, some may take longer than others, or work best in regularly scheduled treatments. Another advantage to early scheduling is that this will allow you to ensure the time slots that work best for you in relation to be events, parties or vacations this summer.

Popular Springtime Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures

Some of the most popular non-surgical procedures that are performed for summer preparation are laser hair removal, laser skin treatments, and chemical peels. Recovery for some particularly deep chemical peels or skin treatments may require avoiding sun exposure for a long period of time, something that should be scheduled around vacations and other summertime activities.

The most popular surgical procedures done in preparation of summertime are body contouring and breast procedures, which often require a recovery period of several weeks. The most popular body contouring procedures are liposuction, tummy tucks and buttock lifts, which vary in terms of recovery time. Liposuction does not require a long recovery, but an in-depth tummy tuck procedure might. Setting up a consultation well in advance can help you to reach your goals without being surprised by a scheduling conflict.

With any surgical procedure, it is crucial to protect the incision lines from sun exposure for a certain amount of time, depending on the incision location and type. Your recovery will include specific instructions on how to care for your incisions, which may include lotions and sun exposure restrictions. Often, your incisions may be hidden within bathing suits, limiting sun exposure.

Photo by Moyan_Brenn on Flickr.