Low prices coupled with the draw of an exotic vacation just might be enough to get you thinking about plastic surgery abroad.

In the past several years, countries like Thailand, India and Malaysia have seen an increase in medical tourism, but that doesn’t mean it’s the smartest choice for your upcoming procedure. In fact, most of the best plastic surgeons in San Francisco would advise against it.

Here are four reasons why:

1) Total Cost – Sure, airfare might be cheaper than having surgery in the U.S., but will you actually end up saving money when airfare, lodging and other miscellaneous travel expenses are tallied up? And what if you experience a complication following surgery? Will you have enough cash to cover the costs of an extended stay plus additional medical care?

Most travel insurance companies won’t cover elective surgery abroad – so it’s something you should think long and hard about before booking that plastic surgery/travel package. When all is said and done, you could end up spending a lot more money than you originally intended.

2) Surgeon Qualifications – When booking plastic surgery abroad, it can be challenging to find out what type of credentials your surgeon will hold. It can also be difficult to determine what the surgical facility will be like or if it will be accredited.

These key details are essential to your safety. When choosing a surgeon, you want nothing short of a skilled, experienced perfectionist. If you aren’t able to confirm these details in advance through online research, it’s just a better idea to choose a surgeon locally.

3) Follow-Up Appointments – The best plastic surgeon will schedule follow up appointments with his or her patients to monitor progress and provide answers to lingering questions. If you hop on a plane home soon after surgery, you’ll be forfeiting important steps in the aftercare process. And if something goes wrong weeks, months or even years down the road, you’ll have to seek the care and advice of someone that didn’t perform your original surgery.

4) Revision Surgery – Unfortunately, not all surgeries will be successful the first time around – even with the best surgeon in the world. If you’re one of the unlucky patients that require revision surgery to correct an irregularity or complication, can you afford to take time off from work and fly abroad again? If not, you’ll have to factor in additional costs associated with finding a surgeon in the states.

Though plastic surgery abroad isn’t always a bad idea, it’s important to do your research in advance. If you don’t have the time or energy to spend researching and planning out the intricate details of coupling surgery and travel, it’s probably a better idea to just find a reputable surgeon locally.

For years, liposuction has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. – and for good reason. It’s a safe and effective way to streamline your figure by eliminating stubborn fat.

If you’re considering liposuction (or any cosmetic procedure for that matter), it’s important to do your homework. Below are four important things to keep before getting liposuction:

Not a Weight Loss Tool

Though it might sound like a quick fix for all of your weight loss woes, liposuction should never be considered a weight loss tool. Instead, it should be considered a body contouring tool. It’s not a treatment for obesity, but it can be used to address “problem” areas that have not responded to traditional diet and exercise.

For women, the most common areas for liposuction include the outer thighs and hips. While men are more likely to seek out liposuction for their waist and back. Liposuction is also frequently used to remove localized fat deposits on the face, neck, back, abdomen, buttocks and upper arms.

The Types of Liposuction

There are several types of liposuction available today, but it’s important to keep in mind that all the procedures below aren’t that different. The only major difference is the approach used prior to fat removal.

1)      Tumescent liposuction: As one of the first successful methods of liposuction, the tumescent method remains one of the most popular options available today. This method involves an injection of an anesthetic to the treated region prior to fat removal. The solution (which actually contains a combination of salt water, adrenaline and anesthetic) shrinks blood vessels to minimize blood loss and enable easier fat removal.

2)      Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL): UAL liposuction often combines the tumescent method with ultrasonic energy to break down fat cells before they are removed. It’s important to note that there are two types of UAL – internal and external. Internal UAL delivers ultrasonic energy directly to the underlying fat using a metal rod or cannula inserted through the skin. While external UAL delivers ultrasonic energy through a paddle-shaped instrument placed on the overlying skin.

3)      Laser liposuction: Also known as liposculpture, laser liposuction uses a laser device to heat up and essentially “liquefy” unwanted fat. In some methods, the liquefied fat is drained through tiny incisions. While other methods use a cannula to gently suction away the unwanted fat. Still controversial, many plastic surgeons feel laser techniques add to the total cost of the procedure without affecting final results. Additionally, lasers run an increased risk of skin burns.

Don’t Be Fooled By New Technology

New doesn’t always mean better. In fact, tried-and-true methods such as tumescent and ultrasound-assisted liposuction typically have the highest rates of patient satisfaction. Before settling with the latest technology, you should ask yourself the following:

• Is this method FDA-approved for safety and effectiveness?
• Is this procedure offered by reputable, board-certified plastic surgeons?
• Am I only considering this method because it’s less expensive?

Expected Results

If you’re considering surgery, viewing liposuction photos in San Francisco will give you a better idea of the type of results you can achieve. A reputable plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with a gallery of before and after patient photos.

As stated above, liposuction is not a weight loss method, but it can be used to sculpt and tone various regions of your body. Following surgery, it will take a little time to heal and recover. Swelling and bruising should subside within a month, revealing a leaner appearance. The final results will be long-lasting, assuming you maintain your weight.

Do you still have questions about liposuction? Contact us to set up a personal consultation today!

Gynecomastia, or “man boobs,” is an embarrassing, but surprisingly common condition. Though rarely life-threatening, gynecomastia can result in low self-esteem, poor self-image and social isolation.

So, what exactly causes gynecomastia?

In most cases, the cause of enlarged male breasts is idiopathic (meaning no definitive cause), in other cases, it can be attributed to a hormone imbalance.

Both men and women produce androgens (male hormones) and estrogens (female hormones), which are responsible for determining male and female sex characteristics.

For men, estrogen typically takes a back seat to androgen production. However, when there is an imbalance between male and female hormones, men can develop female characteristics like enlarged breasts.

 

Below are some of the most common causes of gynecomastia:

1)      Puberty

Hormone changes during puberty are one of the most common causes of gynecomastia in adolescence. In most cases, excess breast tissue is only temporary in teenage boys – lasting between six months and two years. For this reason, male breast reduction surgery is not usually recommended until adulthood.

2)      Aging

Similar to puberty, aging men can experience an imbalance of sex hormones. Testosterone levels tend to decrease over time – making enlarged male breasts a common occurrence for men over the age of 50.

3)      Alcohol Abuse

Years of alcohol abuse can result in liver damage, which can change the way the body metabolizes hormones – resulting in breast enlargement. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption often goes hand-in-hand with malnutrition, another common cause of breast enlargement.

4)      Drug Side Effects

There are a variety of medicines that may cause gynecomastia-like side effects. Generally speaking, the risk of developing gynecomastia is relatively low, but it is possible for the following medications to cause enlarged male breasts:

• Antiandrogen drugs (e.g., flutamide, cyproterone, and spironolactone)
• Psychiatric drugs (e.g., antidepressants)
• Medicines used to alleviate ulcers (e.g., cimetidine)
• Medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g., dilantin)
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Steroids

Though not a prescribed medication, studies have also shown tree oil and lavender oil (common in shampoos, soaps and lotions) to increase the risk of childhood gynecomastia.

5)      Obesity

Carrying around an unhealthy amount of extra weight can affect your appearance in more ways than one. Gynecomastia occurs when an extra layer of fat tissue develops over normal sized male mammary glands. Excess fat also stimulates the body’s production of estrogen – which can spur additional breast tissue growth.

How to Treat ‘Man Boobs’

Ultimately the treatment depends on the cause.

If alcohol abuse, obesity or certain medications are causing enlarged male breasts, then a change in lifestyle may be the best treatment. However, if lifestyle changes aren’t enough, male breast reduction is a surgical alternative that combines excision (with a scalpel) and liposuction to remove excess tissue from the chest.

Male breast reduction is typically an outpatient procedure (meaning no overnight stay) that can be performed in an hour and a half or less. Most men who have undergone surgery are very happy with the final results and experience improved quality of life.

When it comes to breast size, bigger is always better, right? Not necessarily.

Breast augmentation remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S., but not all women value large breasts. In fact, breast reduction in San Francisco and across the rest of the country has been gaining momentum in the past several years. According to statistics released by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), there was roughly one reduction performed for every two augmentations in 2011.

Though every patient is unique, we do find that the reasons for seeking out breast reduction are typically related to one or more of the following five categories:

1) Reduces Unwanted Male Attention

While most women enjoy feeling attractive, too much attention focused on large breasts can result in significant psychological discomfort.  Many women with disproportionally large breasts feel embarrassed by their chest or feel it doesn’t accurately represent who they are as a person.

Numerous research studies have shown that women who have undergone breast reduction experience a variety of psychological benefits including higher self-esteem, increased sexual satisfaction, as well as a reduction in anxiety and depression.

2) Makes Exercise More Comfortable

Many women with large breasts find it difficult or even impossible to participate in rigorous exercise. Even with the support of multiple sports bras, they still experience an uncomfortable “bounce” which can be both embarrassing and painful.

For many patients, breast reduction re-introduces them to the joys of physical exercise. They’re more likely to be physically active and experience numerous health and body benefits as a result. Breast reductions patients are also less prone to eating disorders following surgery.

3) Chronic Pain Reduction

Extremely large breasts are typically linked to physical discomfort – especially chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Bra-strap “grooving” which occurs when the straps must hold a significant amount of weight is also common. As a result of this chronic pain, many women suffer with a decreased quality of life.

Because breast reduction surgery removes excess tissue, fat and skin from the chest, it improves posture and can significantly reduce or completely eliminate (depending on the extent of the procedure) this form of chronic pain.

4) Diversifies Clothing Options

Expanding your wardrobe can be both uplifting and fun or completely demoralizing, depending on how you feel about your body. Disproportionately large breasts not only make it difficult to find tops, bras and swimsuits that actually fit, they can make even the most basic wardrobe add-ons appear unflattering or inappropriate.

Following breast reduction, most women feel more comfortable with the way their clothes fit. This results in increased body confidence and improved self-esteem.

5) Prevents Rashes

Though it might not be the first thing most people consider, large breasts can’t help but chafe – making them more prone to uncomfortable rashes. Rashes between and underneath the breasts are common for women with very large breasts. This can be extremely uncomfortable, especially in warm climates. Women who experience this chronic skin irritation are also more likely to develop an infection.

Deciding on plastic surgery in San Francisco is a big commitment. And though your friends might be tempted to propose a good luck toast – most surgeons would recommend against it.

Generally speaking, the best plastic surgery candidates should abstain from drinking alcohol at least two weeks prior to and following surgery. This may be longer or shorter depending on the specific procedure planned for surgery.

Alcohol and surgery (all surgery, not just plastic surgery) aren’t a good mix for a number of reasons. Below are our top five for skipping the booze:

1) Increased Swelling

Swelling, also known as edema, occurs as a natural response to injury or trauma – making it an inevitable part of the healing process. Depending on the procedure performed, swelling can last for a few weeks or even several months.

 

Most patients want to minimize swelling as much as possible and there are several ways to do this: elevation, compression garments, ice packs and – avoiding alcohol before and after surgery. Drinking alcohol widens the blood vessels making your body more susceptible to swelling. The nose in particular, is especially prone to alcohol-related swelling following rhinoplasty.

2) Increased Bleeding

Alcohol works as a blood thinner – making blood platelets less active, and ultimately inhibiting their ability to coagulate. As a result, drinking alcohol before or after surgery increases your risk of post-surgical bleeding. This means it will take longer for your body to heal and recover, which can also translate in more days off from your normal routine.

3) Drug Interactions

Following plastic surgery, it’s common for most patients to be prescribed antibiotics and/or pain medication. These prescriptions are meant to reduce the risk of a post-surgical infection and minimize discomfort. Combing these medications with alcohol can not only be detrimental to your recovery, they can be dangerous to your overall health.

4) Anesthesia Interference

When combined with sedatives or anesthetic agents, alcohol can exaggerate their effects. If you have alcohol in your system prior to surgery, it will be more difficult for your anesthesiologist to estimate the dose of anesthetics necessary to ensure complete comfort. To avoid this problem, you should absolutely avoid alcohol for at least two days before surgery.

5) Dehydration

Because alcohol is a diuretic (it increases urine production), you’re more likely to suffer with dehydration. And since you’ll already be dehydrated after surgery, adding another element like alcohol soon before or after surgery can make you feel horrible during recovery.

Common symptoms of dehydration include headache, dizziness, sleepiness and dry skin. These symptoms on top of normal post-surgical discomfort will make your recovery far more miserable than it needs to be.

The Bottom Line

Avoiding alcohol as much as possible in the weeks prior to and following surgery can help ensure a safe and speedy recovery. If you slip and have a drink a few days before surgery, you’ll probably be just fine, but sneaking alcohol right before or after your surgery is an absolute no-no.