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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Releases 2015 Statistics Showing New Surgery Trends

Posted by on Apr 8, 2023 in Blog | 0 comments

Dr. Miguel DelgadoBy Miguel Delgado, M.D.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was founded in 1931, and represents 94% of all Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in the United States. ASPS just released their data showing statistics for cosmetic and minimally invasive procedures for 2015. ASPS is the only organization that follows trends of plastic surgery in the United States and has done so since 1992. For 2015, the report shows 15.9 million procedures were performed, reflecting an increase of 2% since 2014.

Breast augmentation and traditional facial procedures remain popular; however, it is evident that there has been a shift to areas of the body as more options become available. Facelift used to be synonymous with the term plastic surgery, but since the year 2000 other types of lifts are showing major increases such as:

  • 89% for breast lifts
  • 252% for buttock lifts
  • 3,973% for lower body lifts
  • 4,959% for upper arm lifts

Surprisingly, facelifts slipped from the top 5 cosmetic procedures and were replaced by tummy tucks. Breast reduction surgery for 2015 came in at 68,106 procedures performed. For the first time, gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) accounted for 40% at 27,456 performed, showing a 5% increase since 2014.

For non-invasive procedures Botox remains #1 with a 1% increase, followed by soft tissue fillers with a 6% increase since 2014.

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Complete Your Weight Loss Journey with a Lift

Posted by on Mar 7, 2023 in Blog | 0 comments

Houston Plastic Surgeon By Dr. Paul Vitenas, Jr.

Once a large weight loss milestone has been reached, especially if it involves 100 pounds or more, many people hit another obstacle. The problem is not buying new clothes or adjusting to a thinner self-image. The problem that no one mentions is the bulk of sagging, deflated skin that will still hang on the body. Once housing all those pounds of fat, skin can loose its elasticity and will not have the ability to bounce back after weight loss.

For this reason, a lift procedure, at the cosmetic surgeon’s office, can be an important step in completing your weight loss journey. Designed to excise the copious amounts of lax tissue, a lift will give you the confidence to show off your new body. Once those bulges of hanging skin are gone, clothing will fit snug for a healthy, attractive appearance.

Lower Body Lift:
Known as a circumferential lower body lift, this is the go-to procedure to bring out a tight, sculpted figure. This technique involves a belt-line incision, running all the way around the waist. The surgeon will remove hanging tissue from the abdomen, hips, and lower back. The remaining skin and tissues are then raised before sutures are placed. A Lower Body Lift provides the benefits of both a tummy tuck with a butt lift. The result is a smooth stomach and perky buttocks that look great in jeans.

Upper Body Lift:
An Upper Body Lift focuses on the areas above the waist, including the arms, chest, and upper back. A circumferential incision will be made below the breasts, allowing the surgeon to meticulously remove unwanted skin and fat from the torso. A Brachioplasty will be used to eliminate the drooping extra skin along the upper arms. As the tissues are pulled tight, bra line rolls are eliminated, as well. Sometimes the Upper Body Lift will be combined with a breast augmentation or breast lift for optimal rejuvenation results.

Medial Thigh Lift:
Anyone who sheds a notable amount weight, or undergoes liposuction of the thighs, may end up with excess, unattractive skin taking over the upper legs. A Medial Thigh Lift can eliminate this loose skin. First, an incision will be made from the knee to the groin, running along the inner thigh. The surgeon will then sculpt the thighs to a youthful shape, giving weight loss patients a chance to finally show off their figure in shorts, high cut dresses, and pants.

To find out more about the Lower Body Lift, Upper Body Lift, or the Medial Thigh Lift, contact the experts at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery. Helping patients for over 25 years, Dr. Vitenas has exceptional experience in all body sculpting procedures. To schedule your complementary consultation, call our Houston office at (281) 484-0088.

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Dissolve Fat With Kybella!

Posted by on Mar 1, 2023 in Blog | 0 comments

Dr. Miguel DelgadoBy Miguel Delgado, M.D.

With the advent of selfies and Skype, people are more aware of pockets of fat that rest under the chin. Some patients are looking for non-surgical resolutions to improve their profile.

The FDA has approved many injectables for different applications for the cosmetic patient.

The face loses fullness from aging and or weight loss. As the facial tissue thins, lines form around mouth, nose and cheeks. Dermal fillers replace volume and smooth out wrinkles, plump up lips and restore a youthful appearance.

Botox is a popular injectable that diminishes wrinkles between the eyes, forehead and crow’s feet.

Now we have Kybella, a naturally occurring molecule that melts fat under the chin! That’s right! Many patients do not want surgery and can’t afford any downtime.

Dissolve Fat

At this time, the only area approved for Kybella treatment is under the chin. Usually, more than one treatment will be needed, and they are to be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart. Not everyone will get the same results.

Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable that can dissolve fat. Patients need to have good skin quality to be candidates for this treatment. The choice of an injector is also very important. If an R.N. or physician’s assistant does the injections, you want to be sure they are under the supervision of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

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The Risk of Smoking for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Patients

Posted by on Feb 1, 2023 in Blog | 0 comments

Dr. Miguel DelgadoBy Miguel Delgado, M.D.

Planning for cosmetic surgery can be an exciting time. Cosmetic surgery is considered elective surgery, such as a facelift, breast augmentation, male breast reduction, or any area of the head, neck or body that is done to improve the patient’s appearance. Elective surgery is scheduled at the convenience of the surgeon, the patient, and the surgical facility.

All surgeries come with the risk of bleeding, infection and possible adverse reactions to anesthesia. Risks for cosmetic surgery are greatly reduced when performed in an accredited facility by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and assisted by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, registered nurses and trained surgical assistants. All of who take great measures to eliminate the possibility of infection.

The patient plays a major role in reducing surgical risks factors by following their surgeon’s instructions to avoid certain supplements, medications, vitamins and herbs that may cause bleeding issues. In addition to blood thinners, patients will be warned about the detrimental effect that smoking can have during surgery and the recovery period. Blood thinners and smoking must be stopped at a minimum of two weeks prior and two weeks after surgery.

Plastic Surgery and smoking Cigarettes contain multiple toxins that constrict the blood vessels, which impair the ability of blood to transport oxygen, medications, and antibiotics that are required for wound healing. Smoking increases inflammation, and inflammation increases the chances of complications.

The risk of smoking for surgery patients are well known and have prompted many studies to document comparisons between the smoker and the non-smoker. One such study was conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The study showed a high percentage of smokers were more likely to have; a heart attack, cardiac arrest, and/or develop pneumonia. Other studies showed that smokers require more anesthesia and pain medication.

The addictive nature of nicotine is well known. For some patients, it may be tempting to have a cigarette or two during the abstinence period. That is all it takes to jeopardize the surgical outcome. For a smoker contemplating elective surgery, it is recommended that they talk to their surgeon who may be able to help them get smoking under control before surgery, perhaps with a prescription such as Chantix. Rewarding oneself with cosmetic surgery may be a good enough incentive to stop smoking.

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The Growing Popularity of the Hand Lift

Posted by on Dec 17, 2022 in Blog | 0 comments

Houston Plastic Surgeon By Dr. Paul Vitenas, Jr.

Our hands are like a workhorse, helping to accomplish everything we do, from washing dishes to driving a car, as well as holding a drink or lovingly patting a significant other. No matter how much we depend on our hands, however, most of us overlook their aesthetic importance, especially when it comes to rejuvenating cosmetic procedures. Times are changing though, and many people are starting to notice that the hands can be notorious for giving away our true age. Luckily, through a set of simple procedures, youthful hands can literally be within anyone’s reach.

New York plastic surgeon, Dr. John Farella, was recently quoted by the New York Times as saying, “As you get older, your hands lose volume, fat and elasticity. The fatty layer of the hand disappears, so the skin is more translucent and shriveled, and you see underlying structures like bones, tendons and veins.” Even with a youthful face, the resulting thin hands can make someone look older than they are. By undergoing hand rejuvenation, years will be taken off of the overall appearance.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s Hand Rejuvenation Guide, the restorative procedure should be considered when:

  • Hands have prominent veins or tendons due to a loss in volume
  • Hands are thin and boney
  • Hands begin to have fine lines and wrinkles
  • Hands show dark, ‘age’ spots
  • Hands appear to have uneven skin tone or an undesirable splotchy color

There are several different methods that can be utilized for a hand lift. As there is no set technique, results can easily be tailored to the individual patient’s needs. The Fraxel Laser is helpful for eliminating dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation. Thermage will tighten lax, aging skin, and improve wrinkles. Fat injections can be useful to permanently plump thinning hands. Some doctors will even include Sclerotherapy, as needed, to reduce the appearance of unsightly, purple-ish spider veins on the hands.

Aging hands will lose volume and shape as the natural fat stores become depleted. This, along with age spots, can end up as the ultimate culprits for older looking hands. Dermal fillers are excellent for temporarily restoring lost shape and form of the hands. They can be placed in less than half an hour, without any downtime, and the final results will last up to six months, sometimes even longer.

Hand Rejuvenation with Dr. Paul Vitenas and Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery:

Dr. Paul Vitenas has more than 25 years of cosmetic surgery and noninvasive aesthetic experience. If you are in the Houston area, and would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation, contact Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery at (281) 484-0088. If you are not in the area, be sure to inquire about the virtual consultation.

Additional information on the hand rejuvenation procedure can be found by clicking on the following:

http://www.houstonfattransfer.com/index.php/fat-transfer/hand-fat-transfer
http://www.smartbeautyguide.com/procedures/skin-hair/hand-rejuvenation
http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/60-50-hand-rejuvenation-finishing-touch-1036358

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