Plastic Surgery-- Tools to Help Imagine Your Results Before Surgery

Trying to imagine what you might look like after plastic surgery can be a difficult undertaking. But making plastic surgery decisions such as which breast implant size to choose or just how you'd like your nose reshaped requires some pre-op visualization. For those contemplating plastic surgery, websites such as Reshapr.com and Loveyourlook.com can be valuable tools. But one shouldn't believe the results they see in the computer images are the exact ones they will get in real life.

Reshapr.com and Loveyourlook.com allow users to upload photos of themselves and make changes such as enlarging the breasts, trimming the stomach, or re-shaping the nose. Though these computer images can be helpful, plastic surgeon Dr. William Adams warns us on The Plastic Surgery Channel that "patients need to understand that what they see on the computer-generated model may not indeed be what they are able to attain realistically with the procedure." Factors such as a patient's individual characteristics affect which specific looks can and cannot be created through plastic surgery.

The Plastic Surgery Chanel recommends the website be used only as a visualization tool to give one a general idea of what they might look like after various plastic surgery procedures.

Though it may not be possible to see one's specific results of a procedure before surgery, websites such as Reshapr.com can be used as a communication tool between a patient and his or her plastic surgeon. Patients can show the types of looks they like and in turn, the surgeon can communicate whether or not that general look can be attained.

For those considering such plastic surgery procedures as rhinoplasty, liposuction or breast augmentation, Toledo area plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Kelly offers great information on his website. Or, to locate a board certified plastic surgeon near you, visit plasticsurgery.org.

Celebrity Plastic Surgery and Why We Love to Mock It!

Almost everyone has taken their jabs at the numerous celebrity plastic surgery horror stories out there. Joan Rivers, Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Kenny Rogers all take their turns at the end of the gossip-rag skewer. How we all love to make comments like, "Just who does he think he's fooling?" and "My God! She really needs to stop now!" as we stand in our sweat pants in the grocery store check out line. Many of these celebs even take regular pokes at themselves. Joan Rivers once said, "I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I'd look like without plastic surgery." And Dolly Parton, always with a great sense of humor, is quoted as saying, "You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!" But for every celebrity plastic surgery joke, there are dozens of success stories that slip beneath the radar, because good plastic surgery doesn't draw attention to itself.

Websites like Makemeheal.com/, Celebrityplasticpics.com Goodplasticsurgery.com/, and its counterpart, Awfulplasticsurgery.com draw their fans by watching for changes, subtle or not, in celebrity faces and bodies and speculating on the procedures they've undergone.

Some famous celebs that appear in these sites' "good plastic surgery" column include Mira Sorvino, Charlie Sheen, Scarlett Johansson, and Winona Ryder, all with results noticeable only when compared with "before" pictures.

For those of us who don't reside on the silver screen, subtle results are also important. For this, shopping around for a good plastic surgeon, one who offers consultations rather than sales pitches, is important. For those considering cosmetic enhancement, such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty or a tummy tuck, Charlotte, NC plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick O'neill offers great information on his website. Or visit plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon Gives Back

Recently, Glendale plastic surgeon Dr. Heidi Regenass shared a bit of her business savvy with a group of Afghani businesswomen in a workshop she co-hosted for Project Artemis. Began in 2005, Project Artemis is a two-week business-skills training program conducted yearly by Glendale’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. Each year the program invites promising Afghani businesswomen to the U.S. for business training, workshops, and mentorship. Dr. Regenass, along with make-up artist and skincare expert Zethina spoke with the women about the importance of public relations, networking and partnership in the business environment.

Dr. Regenass and Zethina have formed a symbiotic business relationship, referring clients to one another and combining public relations efforts. Their businesses, which compliment each other well, serve women from throughout the area with skincare treatments, make-up advice and cosmetic surgery in Phoenix, AZ. The workshop, held in a spa, offered not only public relations advice, but a little pampering and camaraderie as well. The Afghani businesswomen were treated to manicures, massages and skincare treatments.

Participants in Project Artemis have worked and succeeded to open businesses, provide jobs and inspire other Afghani women in an extremely challenging business environment for women. Despite war and patriarchal resistance, their achievements include opening the first and only female-owed shop in a Bazar in Bamyan, providing micro-loans to Afghani businesswomen, teaching female handi-crafters to become economically self-sufficient, and offering employment to many who seek it.

Breast Implants Doctor Advises Women to Choose Wisely

Dr Elizabeth Kinsley of Covington LA has created a system to allow women to make sure they make the right choice the first time.



Breast Implants

Breast Augmentation Doctors Views on Silicone Implants

Breast augmentation doctors and others are weighing in on the re-approval of Silicone Breast Implants.

From the Sacramento Bee editorial section: FDA's breast implant warning is inadequate

From the LA Times: Breast implant makers, plastic surgeons expect boost from silicone

And from one surgeon an opposing view in the Twin Cities.com Pioneer Press: A toast to silicone implants? Not from this surgeon

I have enlarged the breasts of thousands of women with silicone implants since they were introduced in the 1960s. I even wrote articles in favor of silicone. Then Paula S. came to see me in 1992. At age 32, she had had at least three breast surgeries, and each time her breasts became rock-hard and painful. She could not lie on her stomach. We replaced the silicone with smooth saline implants. Within a short time these too became hard, as did the next set.

As you can see, even the breast augmentation doctors can't get together on this one.

Interesting developments on the horizon I'm sure!