In 2008 there were 10.2 million surgeries performed in the U.S. Our usual first place holder liposuction claimed nearly 356,000 of these procedures. However, breast augmentation surpassed lipo procedures by more than 14,500 clients. So it’s official, nice boobs are more desired by Americans than thinner thighs.

However, the trend doesn’t just stop there. The total number of cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S. in 2008 dropped by a whopping 12 percent from that of 2007. Moreover, surgical procedures among women dropped by 15 percent compared to a 22 percent drop for men. So have we all gotten less vain? I doubt that very seriously. I think it is more likely that the downward turn of our economy has made women…and especially men, decide to use their hard earned dollars in a much more efficient manner.

Taylor, 36, of San Fernando Valley, California, has been hoping to be able to afford lipo for some time now. “I had planned on getting it but I was afraid of the recovery time,” said Taylor. However, in March of this year Taylor was laid off and her husband’s contracting business is just not seeing the same numbers as before. “Now it’s not even the risk factor,” said Taylor. “I have a family and would feel extremely guilty spending that kind of money on vanity right now.”

Taylor is not alone. Cosmetic surgery financing has tripled over the past years as people desperately seek to continue their beautification process, while keeping their finances in order. Since it is rare these types of procedures are covered by insurance, the ability to spend $4,000-$8,000 on lipo and looking better is simply getting a lot harder.

Ironically the lipo spin-off’s like SmartLipo and Lipo-Dissolve have not seen a decrease, in fact their client numbers are study rising. This is even after the recent ban on these procedures and the chemicals used. The Food and Drug Administration issued a ban on Phospatidylcholine-based products (Also known as Lipostabil®, Lipo-zap, and others) for fat removal. Furthermore, the FDA is currently investigating several medical spas in the U.S. for the same. The FDA has further called this a “buyer-beware situation.”
It is hard to get complete statistics regarding these forms of procedures since many of them are not FDA approved and not tracked by plastic surgery societies.

Cosmetic Surgeon, James Barber has developed a First-of-its-kind tell all video series which addresses all facets and all forms of plastic surgery. This series allows the consumer to get all of their questions answered from the comfort of their home, without time consuming in office consultations. If you have ever considered cosmetic beautification please visit Dr. Barber’s site before making any decisions.

When is it time to reach out and grab the hands of technology; allowing them to pull you closer to that new you? Is it ever ok to say “I just can’t do it” or “I need help”? Weight loss centers make millions each year off of people who have said just that. So why do so many who have weight loss surgery or lipo feel the need to keep quiet about their experience. This form of denial stems from the same emotional insecurity that causes one to be overweight in the first place. Keeping quiet about lipo, tummy tucks, and lap-band procedures do more than shock your friends and family when they see the new you on the rise. Unfortunately, it is also the best way to keep medical malpractice in practice and keep fad, non-working diet products on the market.

In a recent post about Lipo-Dissolve and its claims of being the new “Botox for fat,” it was mentioned that the problem with becoming a household name is that you first must be talked about. When a procedure such as lipo-dissolve is steadily on the rise yet few people are actually talking about their experiences, this leads one to believe that the procedure is not producing the results most hoped for. Does it work? Or is it a fluke? Well it seems that depends on who you ask. One thing for certain is that when it comes to FDA approved liposuction- it works and that’s it!

In my late teens and early 20’s I was a well-fit, “knock-out” type if I do say so myself. However, since that statement can be found at the intro of most diet blogs, you can be assured that things didn’t stay that way as I got older. I waited until my late-thirties to have my first child and boy was I in for a shocker.  After 14 hours of labor and no baby, I was blessed with the experience of a c-section that took all of ten minutes but left what looked like would be a lifelong scar. I immediately started to work out after the baby was born but could clearly tell  that something different had happened to my midsection (we won’t even begin to discuss my breast). Totally in love with my new baby girl, I wouldn’t change anything about my labor. However, the scar and scar tissue left behind forced me to question whether lipo would be the best thing for me.

I was not new to the world of lipo; as a matter of fact I had plenty of experience and information regarding the field. I had undergone a procedure in my late 20’s that left me stagnated for many years. I found a doctor based on price alone, didn’t check references or do research and let’s just say…I was less than satisfied with my results. If only I had known then what I know now I could have prevented myself years of emotional distress, but such is life. Needless to say, for me to consider having another procedure this was a major deal and meant that I was extremely dissatisfied with the way I looked.

This time I was determined to get quality results. I spent months researching doctors and meeting with them individually. Finally, I decided to have liposuction done by Dr. Yoho in Pasadena, California. I chose the doctor based on how comfortable he and his wife made me feel and on the positive references they willingly provided to me. Although I was nervous the day of the surgery they assured me great results. There are no words to express how you feel about a person (or company) that helps change your life in the positive way they helped me. I mention Dr. Yoho only because of my personal experience. I have no endorsement with him or his staff and they are not even aware that I have shared my story. I will write in detail about my experience with Dr. Yoho as well as my negative experience with an unnamed doctor in the past. In the end I was completely satisfied and saw immediate results from my lipo procedure. I chose lipo because diet and exercise alone was not working for me and I am not embarrassed to say this. Because like I always say, the only thing more important than who you are…is who you want to be.

]]> http://lipotoday.com/?feed=rss2&p=45 1 http://lipotoday.com/?p=37 http://lipotoday.com/?p=37#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:01:18 +0000 me http://lipotoday.com/?p=37 It’s become an everyday thing, you’re standing in the mirror, checking your side profile, and saying to yourself “if I could just get rid of this section right here, I’d look pretty good.” Then comes the thought…I wonder if I could really afford Lipo? People all around the world have been entranced by the idea of the technological breakthrough known as liposuction. Before you make a decision regarding what form of lipo you will decide on or what surgical center you’ll be visiting, you first want to know how much the procedure will cost you. While visiting websites or speaking with a representative of a center all too often the question of price is skirted away from. The reason is mainly not to deter anyone who hasn’t made it into their offices to see the bright lights and sleek new-age look of the facility. As with any commodity, it is much easier to lock a sale when the consumer is right in front of you and no one wants to run the risk of losing a potential client because of money.

However, this is not the only reason. The actual cost of lipo will depend on a number of factors-many of which can only be assessed upon meeting an individual. First let me say that cost alone should never be the deciding factor in your decision to undergo any medical procedure, especially lipo. In the end, the cheapest physician may turn out to be the most expensive if you have to pay another surgeon to repair his work. Moreover, imagine the trauma associated with learning to live with dissatisfying results. However, if you’ve decided to have the procedure there are a number of issues that you should be aware of as they will affect the overall cost of the procedure.

Cost Factors:

• When an individual is quoted an actual price for liposuction the surgeon has already taken into consideration the most important factor in determining the cost, his time and effort. He will also have considered the number of areas being treated.

• The size of areas being treated is critical because it will commonly take more time and effort to treat multiple areas than it will to just treat one. Thus, the cost of lipo of the lower abdomen alone would be less expensive than lipo of the abdomen, back and arms.

• Not surprisingly, the surgeon also will consider the size of the individual. The cost for lipo of the abdomen of a person who weighs 180 pounds may be more expensive than that of an individual who has never weighed more than 130 pounds.

• Another consideration would be whether they have had recent weight loss or whether he or she has had other treatments on the same area. Liposuction requires more time and effort if the individual has recently gained and then lost weight, such as with a pregnancy.

• Also if the area has been previously treated with lipo, the fat often contains scar tissue which is much more difficult to eradicate.

If your surgery is to be performed in a hospital it is likely that the surgeon is unable to control all of the additional fees and might opt to give you an itemized list of expenses. In which case the fees may look something like this:

• Surgical fee
• Anesthesiologist fees
• Operating room fees
• Pre-op Lab fees
• Antibiotic/ other drug fees
• Post operative garment fee

As you can see there are so many things to consider when giving an estimated cost for lipo making it virtually impossible to get an accurate estimate over the phone or via the internet. When you are given a quote make sure to have it backed up in writing and beware of any surgeon who is not completely candid about all related cost.

Venus.

Common sense tells us that if it sounds too good…well you know the rest. Today there are so many forms of lipo being performed by clinicians that it is hard to know what is acceptable and what should immediately be a cause for concern. With all of these new treatments there is so much that is unknown regarding the results, side effects and overall long term health risks of the many possible procedures.

So let’s start with what we do know. We know that Liposuction, also called lipectomy or simply, lipo, is the only procedure for fat removal approved by the food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Lipo can be done through a many different techniques such as Tumescent or laser, but in the end the procedure is still liposuction.

Laser lipo, also called the “lunch time” lipo because of its quick healing time, was approved by the FDA in November 2006 and now is the fastest growing cosmetic surgical procedure in the country. However, in contrast, lipodissolve is a non surgical medical procedure that involves the injection of a compound called phosphatidylcholine into localized fat deposits to dissolve the fat. This procedure is rapidly growing and can be found under names such as lipo-zap, Lipostabil®, Flab-Jab, Lipojection, Lipotherapy, and many others. Although this procedure is clearly on the rise, neither the procedure nor any of the ingredients used have been approved by the FDA.  What this means is that the necessary test needed to assess exactly what effects this compound will have on ones overall health simply have not yet been done.

Lipo is not a weight loss technique and should not be used as an alternative to a healthy diet. If you are interested in weight loss you should consult a dietitian regarding a healthy food menu plan and a proper exercise regimen. Furthermore extremely overweight individuals are not good candidates for liposuction. Ideal lipo candidates are 18 or older, fairly healthy individuals with stubborn fat pockets not eradicated by a good diet and exercise. However, before you embark on any surgical procedure it is best to speak with a doctor regarding your medical history and individual needs.

V. Smith

]]> http://lipotoday.com/?feed=rss2&p=16 0 http://lipotoday.com/?p=8 http://lipotoday.com/?p=8#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:12:29 +0000 me http://lipotoday.com/?p=8 LIPO-DISSOLVE

It’s being called the next best thing in Lipo technology; today’s Lipo-Dissolve is faster and cheaper than traditional liposuction. Lipo-Dissolve is a procedure designed to minimize the appearance of fat and cellulite. With this latest lipo technology, areas of fat are dissolved using mesotherapy, or a series of injections. Unlike standard liposuction, Lipo-Dissolve has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has not been scientifically proven to permanently remove fat cells.  However, Lipo-Dissolve has shown to be extremely effective in addressing specific areas of localized fat. In addition some centers offer Lipo-Dissolve AT, which breaks down fat into a liquid in order to aid in the treatment.

Benefits:
Lipo-Dissolve was designed to address issues of fat in common problem areas like the butt, thighs, hips and belly. These areas can be problematic even when a strict diet and exercise regimen is followed. For women who have given birth, the idea of spot treatment can be exactly what is needed to smooth away those stubborn pockets left behind. Lipo-Dissolve also claims to be able to alter the appearance of the skin by assisting in its elasticity, something that deteriorates with age, and by cellulite removal. These are claims that standard Lipo does not make. Although Lipo-Dissolve is done in a series of treatments (usually four to five treatments four to six weeks apart) many claim to see the benefits after only one treatment. Still Several treatments are often required to produce the optimal result.

Problems:

Lipo-Dissolve claims to be the “Botox for fat” however, Botox has become a household name mainly due to the many individuals who boast its benefits and praise. Unfortunately, Lipo-dissolve has yet to produce this type of following as few are willing to speak up about their experiences whether good or bad. This type of silence usually goes hand in hand with dissatisfied customers who are too embarrassed to complain. These are often the individual’s who settle for the “I knew it was too good to be true” rationale.

Currently the American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not recommend the use of this technology. Moreover, Kansas and Nebraska are in the process of enacting legislation to ban Lipo-Dissolve completely. Today mesotherapy is banned in Kansas except when it is done as part of an FDA-approved clinical trial. It is worth mentioning again that Lipo-Dissolve is not FDA approved and the decision to have such a procedure should not be a quick one. We advise that you not only fully screen the clinician about his/her experience in the medical profession, but specifically about how many of these procedures they have personally performed. You may also want to get references and speak directly with anyone who has had the procedure done by this individual and do not be afraid to ask as many questions as possible.

Liposuction is a procedure performed by many plastic surgeons designed to reshape an individual’s body by sculpting it into proportion.  Lipo reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body’s contour and ultimately, enhancing your self-image. Today liposuction is considered a routine cosmetic surgery in which the patient is often able to leave the hospital within a matter of hours. Liposuction can be performed on the abdomen, upper arms, back, buttocks, cheeks, chin, hips, knees and thighs.

The term Lipo encompasses the wide variety of beautification options available in this ever demanding society.
Lipoplasty (now termed liposuction) was introduced to the U.S. in the 1970’s as a suction-assisted lipectomy originally to remove lipomas (fatty tumors). Seeing how this procedure would soon have a much broader usage and be in high demand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lipoplasty for aesthetic-body contouring purposes. Although liposuction removes fat deposits from a person’s body it is not a weight loss surgery. Individuals who are seriously overweight should consider other options as they are not good candidates for a lipo procedure.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction can be a life changing experience for many who have tried all other options for removing stubborn, unsightly fat pockets.  Despite its amazing popularity, liposuction is not recommended for certain people. Individuals with weakened immune systems, diabetes, heart or artery problems, or who have a history of blood clots should consult a physician before ever considering a lipo procedure. If you are taking blood thinners or other medication that could interfere with your recovery you too should discuss this with a physician and possibly consider waiting until you are no longer on medication to have a liposuction procedure.

Today there are a many different terms for liposuction however the process itself is still technically liposculpting. The various names often refer to the type of instrument being used, such as Standard Lipo, Tumescent Lipo and Laser Lipo. Today new technology offers two very popular procedures: the laser-assisted liposuction such as Smart Lipo and the ultrasonic liposuction such as Vaser. These additions have made liposuction the second most popular surgical procedure nationwide with more than 340,000 procedures being performed last year.  However, with great technology comes great responsibility. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), held their annual convention this past May at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas. The major topic of the event was the 20th Anniversary of Liposuction along with prevention and care of certain irregularities.

Lipo should in no way be seen as an alternative to a healthy diet and exercise. However, we live in a world that puts great emphasis on how a person looks and often this can denote how one feels as well. It is because of this that Lipo has been instrumental in changing the way many people feel about themselves. If you are considering a lipo procedure please make sure to speak with a number of physicians to find one who is right for your specific needs. It is recommended that you do not choose a physician solely on cost. Although this is a somewhat basic procedure there have been individuals who have experienced serious side effects, injury and even death while undergoing a lipo procedure.