Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dallas | Dr. Rai

2009 Plastic Surgery Statistics

2010-03-11T12:05:00.000-06:00

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has released its 2009 statistics which give the numbers of how many times each procedure was performed, whether it was for a male or a female, percentages for each ethnic group, type of medical facility used, and what the total 2009 numbers are for each procedure. They do this every year and have been since 1997.

Since 1997, the total number of cosmetic surgery procedures has increased 147 percent. In 2009 it dropped, but only by two percent compared to 2008.

Most Popular 2009 Plastic Surgery Procedures

Breast augmentation – with 311,957 procedures done, compared to 355,671 procedures in 2008;
Liposuction -- with 283,735 procedures, compared to 341,144 in 2008;
Eyelid surgery -- with 149,943 procedures, down from the 195,104 procedures done in 2008;
Abdominoplasty – with 127,923 procedures, and in 2008 there were 152,434 with abdominoplasty being the fifth most popular procedure;
Facelifts – with 94,247 procedures, and in 2008, facelifts were not in the top five procedures. Rhinoplasty is the procedure that has dropped from the 2009 top five to make way for facelifts.

Most Popular 2009 Non-Invasive Procedures

As always, BOTOX® Cosmetic is the favorite non-invasive procedure, with 2,557,068 procedures done in 2009. This is more than the 2,464,123 done in 2008;
Facial fillers based on hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane -- 1,313,038 procedures compared to 1,262,848 in 2008, when it was third most popular;
Laser hair removal, which was not in the top five for 2008;
Microdermabrasion, which also was not in the top five for 2008;
Chemical peels, at 529,285 procedures, down from 591,808 in 2008 when it was in fourth position.

It is interesting to see how the annual numbers for major surgeries have declined while those for non-invasive procedures have increased. This may be because of the recession squeezing people’s budgets.

If you would like to learn more about any cosmetic procedure offered by Dr. Rai, please contact our Dallas, Texas office today for a free consultation with him.

Cosmetic Surgery to Help the Job Search

2010-03-09T12:12:00.000-06:00

There are those who think we live in a makeover culture these days. We no longer just get our nails “done” and our hair “done” – we get our face done, our breasts done, our lips done, and anything else that we think needs to be “done”. We get smile makeovers and race to try each new skin product.

One of the latest offerings is nicknamed Botox in a Bottle. It is a cream that freezes muscles temporarily, smoothing out wrinkles for the day. The real name is Glamoxy Snake Serum, based on its ingredient Syn-Ake that mimics the effects of the South-East Asian Temple Viper, whose bite causes paralysis. It is offered by the British company Rodial, Ltd. In the U.K., women are submitting massive numbers of advance orders for Glamoxy Snake Serum.

Look Better to Get a Job

In the present financial crisis it puzzles many that people are still willing to spend money on cosmetic procedures and products. However, part of the motivation in many countries is competition for jobs. As more and more companies retrench and lay off workers, more and more applicants show up for each remaining job opening.

The Los Angeles Times passes on a report of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that more people are asking for cosmetic surgery to help them get ahead in the work world;
Canada’s Globe and Mail reports that more men are having BOTOX® Cosmetic and various laser treatments to look younger and fresher in their competitive work areas;
The U.K. Daily Mail reports that men now make up one in every five cosmetic surgery patients (used to be one in ten), and that many of them are big city bankers;
The Australian Sydney Morning Herald opines that cosmetic surgery will soon be as standard as teeth whitening and dyeing your hair;
In China, women are having eyelid surgery and leg-lengthening surgery to be more competitive in job interviews.

From teens to grandmothers, everyone feels their appearance needs improving and they are willing to act on that feeling. If you have some of that feeling yourself, it is wise to stop for a moment and look at it before rushing to act. Do you wish you looked like someone else? That is not a good reason to have plastic surgery because you are certain to be disappointed.

The only person you can convincingly look like is You. If you feel you need to look younger in order to land a job, that is very understandable, as ageism is certainly rampant. At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer many ways to rejuvenate the face and body. Some are more invasive, such as breast implants, and others are non-invasive and simpler, such as facial fillers.

If you are in the Dallas and Fort Worth area of Texas, the first step is to contact our office for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Rai. You can ask your questions and learn a lot about your best options, so that when you do decide to have cosmetic surgery done, your expectations will be realistic and you will be happy with your outcome.

How About a Dimple-Plasty?

2010-03-05T12:04:00.000-06:00

Everyone loves a dimpled smile. For some mysterious reason, it looks cute and appealing and a dimple is regarded as a kind of beauty spot. Actually, a dimple is an inborn muscle defect, a small area where the cheek muscles did not fully develop and therefore create that little depression in the cheek contour when you smile.

In various countries, cosmetic surgeons have started to offer a dimple procedure to enhance a person’s smile. Men seem to be just as interested as women, and India seems to be something of a leader in this procedure.

How Are Dimples Created?

The procedure is short, taking 30 to 60 minutes and is done with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The plastic surgeon makes a small incision on the inside of the cheek and using a biopsy device, removes some of the fat in the proposed dimple location. More tissue is removed for a larger dimple and less for a smaller one. He then attaches part of the muscle to the skin. The incision is closed with absorbable stitches. Not every surgeon offers dimples on both cheeks, as it is difficult to make them symmetrical.

Recovery is short. There is a little swelling for a few days and you are prescribed an antibiotic to guard against infection. You would use a betadine mouth rinse also and would want to be on a liquid diet to avoid having to chew for a day or two.

At first, the dimple is there even if you are scowling, but as the cheek heals, it becomes visible only when you smile. The muscle is now pulling the skin inwards because of the closer muscle/skin attachment created by your dimple-plasty. Because the incision was inside the mouth, there is no visible scar.

You can return to your normal activities the same day if you wish and the results are permanent. Some cosmetic surgeons are also offering chin dimples.

Other Ways to Enhance Your Face

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, Dr. Rai considers your safety a top priority and does not necessarily rush to offer the latest plastic surgery procedure just because it is new. Once a procedure is proven to be safe and effective he will offer it.

There are many ways to enhance your facial appearance. On our site, you can read about facial fillers as a way to enhance the cheeks and lip areas, cheek implants and chin implants as ways to change your facial contours, and lip enlargement or reduction to change your smile.

To learn more, please contact us today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

What is Your Basic Body Shape?

2010-03-01T16:06:00.000-06:00

Through our genetics, we all have a basic body shape. As the years go by and we develop our lifestyle, we may change our appearance by adding bulk but we always keep the basic shape. It will re-emerge when we lose weight.

There are thought by some to be six types of female body shape. Since fashions come and go, each type is in fashion sooner or later and then drops out of fashion. If your body type is currently out of fashion, you may be feeling unattractive and may even be trying to change your basic shape with diet, exercise, and/or cosmetic surgery.

Six Female Body Types

The “A” Frame or Pear Shape -- this type has extra weight in the lower body and a small waist, bust, and shoulders.
The “V” Frame or Cone Shape – this type is the opposite of the A Frame – it has thin legs and narrow hips with a large bust and wide shoulders.
The “H” Frame -- this type looks square-shaped with a large waist and shoulders
The “Ruler” Frame – This is a type is thin with equal-sized shoulders, waist, and hips and does not gain weight easily
The “8” Frame or Hourglass – this type has equal-sized bust and hips with a significantly smaller waist, and weight gain or loss is evenly distributed over the body
The “Oval” Frame or Apple – this shape has thin legs, a short height, and a large bust, with extra weight going to the waistline

The Hourglass type is the perennial female ideal, but regardless of which body type you have, you can look attractive if you feel that you are attractive and if you dress and move well. Exercise programs can be devised for each type, focusing weight training on the thinner areas to build up muscle for a better balance. Lessons in dance or martial arts can increase your balance, grace, posture, and general muscle tone.

Cosmetic Surgery Can Help

If extra weight is obscuring your natural body type, liposuction and/or a tummy tuck can help a great deal. Sometimes we have unwanted fat in smaller, specific areas and there are procedures to help with that too, such as an arm lift or neck liposuction. Of course, there is always the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure of all among women – breast implants – to balance weight on the lower body.

Keep in mind that one’s bones contribute a great deal to your natural body shape, and no cosmetic surgery can change that (except for rhinoplasty, which can change nasal shape). Well, actually, in China, there is a procedure to lengthen the legs. The leg bones are cut and steel extensions inserted which can add about four inches to a woman’s height. But according to news reports, the leg bones are then susceptible to breaking for the rest of your life. Perhaps it is well that this procedure is not legal in the U.S.

When choosing to have plastic surgery for a more attractive or balanced body shape, it is important to be realistic about the results and to have a goal of being more YOU rather than more like someone else.

Please contact our Dallas and Fort Worth office today if you would like to schedule a free consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Rai.

Acknowledging Your Cosmetic Surgery

2010-02-25T11:58:00.002-06:00

British writer Virginia Ironside has a column out today called “Why I’m not so Fonda this bare-faced hypocrite”. She takes issue with Jane Fonda for advertising anti-aging face cream (on a six-figure contract) and speaking out against people having cosmetic surgery, yet having procedures done to banish her own facial wrinkles.

Apparently Fonda has had a necklift to smooth out the wrinkles around the chin and throat areas; and also had blepharoplasty to remove bags from beneath her eyes. Ironside quotes Fonda as saying on her blog:

“I just had some work done on my chin and neck and had the bags taken away from under my eyes, so I decided it would be a good idea to get a new haircut so people will think it's my new hair.”

Ironside is concerned about the women who bought the anti-aging cream Fonda advertised, expecting their faces to be as smooth as Fonda’s. Ironside herself has had a facelift and is proud of the results. She freely gives out the name of her cosmetic surgeon, but dislikes the statement that she “admits” to having a facelift.

“I don't even like the word 'admitting' because it sounds as if I've committed a crime,” she says. “The whole procedure cheered me up no end. And although I'm quite open about it, very few people ask if I've had a facelift because I was one of the lucky ones who had an excellent surgeon … What on earth is wrong with having cosmetic surgery? It shows you care about your looks, which means you care about other people.”

Fonda disapproved of cosmetic surgery for many years but about four years ago she changed her mind. She had breast implants, but then had them removed. Now she is 72, more concerned about her aging appearance, and more willing to acknowledge having cosmetic surgery.

Ironside scolds celebrities who have cosmetic work done but don’t acknowledge it, because “it makes other older women feel upset that their bingo-wings, faces like contour maps and turkey necks, are somehow their own fault.”

Since everyone ages and the face shows it, it is clearly not anybody’s fault. Our culture is obsessed with youth and has forgotten that age brings valuable experience and often a more tolerant and wider perspective on life.

Ironside is right about the importance of choosing an excellent surgeon. That is the first thing you can do to ensure a good surgical outcome. The second thing to do is follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-op instructions exactly. If you would like to talk with Dr. Rai and learn more about the plastic surgery procedures we offer in Dallas Texas at The Cosmetic Surgical Center, please contact us today.

Forehead Lifts For Men

2010-02-22T14:37:00.001-06:00

A forehead lift (brow lift) is a procedure to raise eyebrows that have started drooping over the eyes, and to smooth forehead creases and frown lines. These corrections give the face a more alert and youthful look.

Many times, a forehead lift is done along with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Eyelid surgery removes puffiness and wrinkles from the eyelids so the eyes match the rejuvenated forehead. Increasingly, men are coming for these two procedures, as cosmetic surgery continues to become better-known to the public and more acceptable.

Typically, male eyebrows are set lower on the forehead than those of women. So as age causes them to droop, or as a frowning habit draws them lower and closer together, the change more often affects the man’s eyesight. A brow lift can restore the full visual field by shifting the eyebrows higher and out of the way.

Endoscopic vs. Traditional Forehead Lift

Male pattern baldness is a factor in male cosmetic surgery. Traditionally, a forehead lift requires an incision to be made behind the hairline, in a long curve above the forehead and down to the temples. From there, Dr. Rai lifts the eyebrows and removes excess skin to smooth out wrinkles. That has the effect of raising the hairline and does not work so well for males whose hairline is receding, as the scar is too visible.

Therefore Dr. Rai uses the endoscopic technique for men. An endoscope is a narrow surgical tube with a light at its tip and a second channel for surgical instruments. It is connected to a computer. Dr. Rai can see on the monitor what work he is doing beneath the skin. Because the tube is narrow, only two or three small incisions are needed instead of a long one.

An endoscopic browlift cannot remove as much unwanted skin as can a traditional browlift. It is best for younger men with less wrinkling. It is a less invasive procedure with a shorter recovery time. The small incisions leave small scars that are virtually invisible.

If you would like to know more about male plastic surgery and which procedures might best benefit you, please call or email our office for a free consultation with Dr. Rai. We serve the residents of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas and we hope to meet with you soon.

When Cosmetic Surgery Changes Your Size ...

2010-02-18T15:32:00.001-06:00

In the Palm Springs, California area, there is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization called Desert Best Friend’s Closet. It has no physical facilities and only three team members but during their first year, the 2008-2009 fiscal year, they provided the right clothing for 296 adults and 487 children, at no cost to those recipients.

They rely on donations of clothing, help, and money. They do not serve their community directly, but donate the clothing they collect to local charities or government agencies. They began by finding fashionable prom gowns for high school girls who could not afford to buy their own.

“Every girl deserves to experience prom before she graduates high school,” says Connie Golds, the president and co-founder of Desert Best Friend's Closet. “It's a rite of passage.”

Once they were on a roll with prom dresses, they spotted another need: work attire for job interviews. This assisted new high school graduates and also older women returning to the workforce.

Then they realized that the students at an elementary school in the area were in need of school uniforms. “Gently-used” uniforms were donated by students at another school so over 200 children were now well-attired for school. Part of that project was finding and providing play clothing for more than 200 children at a local rescue mission.

Cosmetic Surgery Patients Step Up

Part of their expanding project was “Bras for a Cause”, where cosmetic surgery patients donated their pre-surgery bras and camisoles because their cosmetic procedures were going to require different sized clothing.

When you have breast implants or breast reduction, part of the preparation is determining what your new breast size will be and purchasing new bras.
If you have liposuction, the treatment area will be much reduced in size and your old shirts and jackets may no longer be wearable if you have liposuction on the upper back; nor will your slacks or jeans be wearable if you have it on the hips or buttocks.
After you have had a tummy tuck, you will not need your old skirts or dresses, but will have the pleasure of restocking your wardrobe with new ones.

Cosmetic surgery practices in the Desert area encouraged their patients to donate their pre-surgery clothing to Desert Best Friend’s Closet.

Future plans of this nonprofit group are to find a physical site where they can store donated items and run their organization; and to buy a truck for transporting large amounts of clothing.

It is not just your new shapely contours that can boost your self confidence after plastic surgery. Your fresh new wardrobe is part of that change. Perhaps you could further expand your good feelings by starting a similar nonprofit group in your own area, or by or donating to one if it exists.

If you would like to know more about any cosmetic surgery procedures offered at The Cosmetic Surgical Institute in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, please contact us today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

Your Weight and Your BMI

2010-02-16T14:13:00.000-06:00

Obesity has been increasing in Western countries for many years and is getting plenty of press coverage. Some cosmetic surgeons are offering gastric bypass surgery for those who cannot lose excess weight through diet and exercise. It is a way to reduce stomach size so that you feel full quickly and cannot eat more. We do not currently offer that but would not rule it out for the future.

If you want to assess your own weight, one way to do it is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI (also called Body Mass Indicator) was developed by a Belgian statistician named Adolphe Quelet who lived from 1796 to 1874. It is now an internationally recognized way of measuring obesity.

It is not hard to get your own BMI with a calculator:

Multiply your weight in pounds by 703
Divide the resulting number by your height in inches squared

Here is an Example

Mary weighs 180 pounds and is 5 feet four inches tall (64 inches)

180 multiplied by 703 equals 126,540
64 squared equals 4096 – that is, 64 x 64
126,540 divided by 4096 equals 30.9 (rounded up one decimal point)

Mary’s BMI is 30.89. What does that mean? Here is the meaning of the BMI categories:

Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 through 24.9 Healthy weight
25 through 29.9 Overweight
30 through 39.9 Obese
Over 40 Morbidly obese

So Mary is obese but not morbidly obese. Since she is at the lower end of the obese range, she could gain 30 more pounds and still be considered obese but not morbidly obese.

Considering Your BMI

Your BMI alone is useful but needs to be supplemented with other information. Do you have large or heavy bones? Developed muscles? (Muscle weighs more than fat.) Are you male or female? If you are at the low end of the healthy weight range and gain 30 pounds, you could still be in the healthy range, at the top end. Mary’s healthy range is about 110 pounds to 140 pounds.

If you gain 30 pounds, you should probably consider why. Was it just over-eating and/or lack of activity, or is something else happening? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more BMI information and an automatic BMI calculator.

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer Ultrasonic Liposuction and tummy tucks for shedding unwanted fat. If you would like to know more about these procedures and whether they might be good options for you, please contact our plastic surgery office for a free consultation with Dr. Rai. We serve the areas of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas.

An Iris Implant to Change Eye Color?

2010-02-11T18:08:00.000-06:00

Recently, a Syrian woman had an iris implant done to change her eye color from brown to green. Her plastic surgeon replaced her natural iris with one that had green synthetic fibers. She was evidently very satisfied with her outcome.

However, the Syrian health minister, one Rida Said, stated that this was a risky procedure and that the surgeon could no longer practice medicine. His license was pulled. Mr. Said said that it did not matter that iris implants were done in the Western world – it was too risky for the patient’s eyesight.

He has assembled a team of eye surgeons to decide whether this woman’s eyes were damaged. If they find damage, the surgeon and the facility he used for the plastic surgery will be punished.

However, to this date, there have been no conclusions drawn as to the woman’s eyesight because she has refused to allow the government surgeons to examine her.

More About Iris Implants

Iris implants are indeed done in the Western world. According to the Cornea Research Foundation of America, iris implants can be very effective for several groups of people:

Those born with iris defects or a missing iris
Those who have suffered an eye injury
Albino people who have no color in their eyes

Without the iris to control the size of the pupil, the person is easily blinded by bright light. Artificial irises are made of PMMA, the same plastic used for the implantable lenses that treat cataracts. It is an ophthalmic-grade silicone. They come in blue, green, and brown colors. Artificial irises can replace a defective natural iris or they can be placed in front of the natural iris to supplement function or complete the colored area.

Each iris is custom-made for the individual. They are very thin and have two flaps that hold them in place. The FDA is currently testing one called the Ophtec Artificial Iris made by a company called Ophtec, Inc.

When a surgical procedure is successful for health reasons, why should it not be done for cosmetic reasons? Certainly, eyesight is not harmed – it is improved -- by other eye surgeries, such as implantable contact lenses, LASIK, or corneal transplants.

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer eye surgery on the eyelids, called blepharoplasty. It removes unneeded and unwanted fat and skin from the eyelids, giving them a younger and more alert appearance. It is an effective way to rejuvenate the entire face. It has no effect on your eyesight.

If you would like to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rai and learn more about our cosmetic surgery offerings, please contact our office today. We serve the Dallas and Fort Worth areas in Texas.

Cosmetic Surgery to Whiten the Eyes?

2010-02-08T12:10:00.001-06:00

A Los Angeles physician is offering a new procedure to whiten the whites of the eyes. It is called I-BRITE and is being offered by one Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D. who is an ophthalmologist rather than a cosmetic surgeon.

If you spend long hours reading every day, or working on the computer, or if you have spent years in the sun without wearing any sunglasses, you may be noticing that your eyes are not as white as they used to be. People may be asking you if you feel tired.

The white part of the eyes is called the sclera and it can become yellowed or red over time. There are tiny blood vessels in the sclera that nourish the eyes and remove waste products.

How I-BRITE Works

The I-BRITE procedure removes the conjunctiva in the area including the blood vessels and any yellow or brownish pigmentation. It is really the procedure called conjunctivoplasty, which is not new, but is used for cosmetic reasons in I-BRITE. The conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera. You have probably heard of conjunctivitis, the name for an infected conjunctiva. That is treated with antibiotic eyedrops.

Sometimes little growths appear on the sclera and a conjunctivoplasty is done to remove them. That is medically necessary but in the case of I-BRITE, healthy tissue is being removed. The blood vessels need to be there to provide nutrients and oxygen necessary for eye health.

I-BRITE Risks

By removing the conjunctiva, you risk having little scars that could interfere with vision and you risk eye dryness because the conjunctiva helps to keep the eyes moist. You also risk an eye infection which could create scars.

“I think it's a market overkill," says ophthalmologist Dr. Allen Berg, who also practices in Los Angeles. "It would be, I guess, taking a sledgehammer to a flea."

I-BRITE takes about 30 minutes and is done with local anesthetic. You can return to normal activities the following day. The cost is between $3,000 and $5,000 per eye.

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer blepharoplasty, which is cosmetic surgery on the eyelids, but we do not offer any surgery on the eyes themselves. Blepharoplasty is an effective way to look less tired, as it removes droopiness and gives the eyes a more alert, youthful look.

If you would rather have a non-surgical procedure for the eyes, BOTOX® Cosmetic can smooth the skin around the forehead and eye area, removing frown lines and horizontal lines. This has a lifting effect for the eyes and gives your face a calmer and happier look.

Dr. Rai offers a great many cosmetic procedures and if you would like to learn more about any that you might be considering, please contact our Dallas, Texas office today. We will be happy to schedule a free consultation for you.

The New You Magazine Launching This Year

2010-02-05T12:48:00.000-06:00

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is planning to launch a new magazine, called the New You Magazine, at the end of this year. It will be the official magazine of the AACS and will be on sale to the public. Its mission is to promote cosmetic surgery by disseminating correct information about it.

"We are going to educate the public about cosmetic surgery so that they will feel informed and comfortable enough to make a decision,” states the magazine editor, J.P. Faber. “Our goal is to remove the most common fears surrounding cosmetic surgery – as well as making it more attractive.”

Most people have a lot of questions about cosmetic procedures and some have reservations. The global market research company Synovate, Inc. did some research on what factors prevent people from going ahead with cosmetic surgery they are interested in. They came up with four main factors:

The cost
Fear of looking unnatural afterwards
Fear of pain
Fear of surgical complications

All four of these factors probably contribute to the popularity of non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedures such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers. They cost less, give almost no pain or discomfort, have very few complications, and give excellent results.

A qualified and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Rai offers a wide array of procedures, both invasive and non-invasive, to suit all budgets and schedules. Patient education is always a high priority so that you will understand what is being done, why, and how to optimize your outcome.

When you have major surgery such as a tummy tuck or breast implants, it is crucial to follow your surgeon’s instructions both before and after your procedure. That is for your safety and you will be far less likely to have any surgical complications if you are faithful in following those instructions.

The New You Magazine will try to promote patient education and allay fears with accurate information.

“For every person who has undergone a cosmetic procedure, there are at least two more people who would like to,” says Faber. “Our job is to overcome their barriers to making that decision.”

The New You Magazine has a website, although it is not yet complete.

If you have been thinking about a plastic surgery procedure and would like to know more about it, please call or email us today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai. We serve Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas and we hope to meet with you soon.

Haiti Plastic Surgeon Helping in Relief Efforts

2010-02-01T12:27:00.000-06:00

One Margaret Degand, M.D. has been a plastic surgeon in Petionville, Haiti for years, offering such cosmetic procedures as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and liposuction to the Haitian upper class. The earthquake collapsed two big buildings near her clinic while she was working and people ran to her door with head injuries, broken limbs, and other urgent needs.

She got to work immediately.

"They were really badly wounded because they were big buildings with lots of cement. Really, I have never seen so many traumatized patients," she said. "They had scalp wounds. They were bleeding. One patient had four or five lesions."

During the first 24 hours, she worked non-stop, with other Haitian doctors who came by to help. “… we were one anesthesiologist, one orthopedist, me and one nurse to do the whole job," she said. She estimated that they treated about 120 people that day and about 1,500 since then. About 350 of the patients needed serious surgery. They were running out of supplies, but Degand’s daughter arrived from France with more.

Haitians Helping Themselves

During the three days that Haiti waited for international help, Haitians helped themselves. In a suburb of Petionville, a sports bar was converted to a help center, feeding people every day.

"We don't believe in sitting around and waiting for outside help. We can help ourselves," said Clifford Rouzeau, 43, one of three owners.

They used all their supplies and were unable to pay their employees, who nevertheless, dontated their time to prepare food and clean up. They plan to keep offering free meals as long as they can get enough food items to do it. They have been making spaghetti, rice and beans, and cornmeal. "It's a lot of work. Our kitchen is not designed for this," Rouzeau said.

Medical Workers Improvising

Haitian medical students in Cuba returned to help, and without any electricity, they used the light of their cell phones at night to see. They had volunteers cleaning wounds and emptying bedpans. Diapers were donated and delivered by someone unknown.

When the hospital ran out of alcohol for sterilization during surgeries, someone sent a supply of vodka. (Vodka is 98 percent pure food-grade alcohol, a type of alcohol that can be bought in U.S. liquor stores as grain alcohol. It is just as effective as the traditional isopropyl alcohol.)

"For sure, Haitians have been helping Haitians. Some patients have gone in and out of the operating theater eight times," said Dr. Degand. Many injuries have been complex and repeated surgeries have been necessary to save limbs. She has had her recovering patients sleeping on mattresses in a tent pitched in the middle of the street.

Humanity is resourceful when it has to be. Americans responded on 9/11 with similar courage and creativeness, running back into the collapsed buildings repeatedly to search for survivors. Some rescuers have sustained permanent lung damage because of breathing so much smoke that contained carcinogens like asbestos, benzene and dioxins.

If you would like to know more about cosmetic procedures that Dr. Rai offers at The Cosmetic Surgical Center, please contact us today for a free consultation.

Cosmetic Surgery Mainstream Worldwide

2010-01-29T12:05:00.000-06:00

Recent news reports are saying that the public is giving cosmetic surgery a green light these days. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) did a survey of people’s attitudes to it and released the results yesterday.

They found that 71 percent of survey participants think that society has become less judgmental about it than it was five years ago. Of those, 62 percent even said that they felt easier about having cosmetic surgery because of this change in social attitudes.

"This is a confirmation of what many of us have felt for a long time – that cosmetic surgery has become mainstream," stated Dr. Mark Berman, President-Elect of AACS. "A variety of factors have contributed to the normalization of our industry, but the bottom line is that people are not afraid to talk openly about cosmetic surgery anymore."

Not surprisingly, the survey found that breast augmentation is the most accepted procedure, with facelifts and tummy tucks next. As for non-invasive procedures, laser hair removal is the best-accepted procedure, with BOTOX® Cosmetic coming in second.

South Africa

In South Africa, the recession has affected many people, but healthcare financing companies are doing well. One company, First Health Finance, has received over 5,000 applications for cosmetic surgery during the past 18 months, and again, tummy tucks and facelifts are among them.

It is clear to the company personnel that some of those applications come from people who are in financial trouble, but they still want a loan for plastic surgery procedures. Most applicants are female, aged in their thirties, and white.

"Since the recession, there has been no downturn in patient numbers,” says one of South Africa’s prominent plastic surgeons, Dr. Saul Braun. “In fact, there has been steady growth since October 2008 -- the recession has had no influence whatsoever." Most of his patients are well-to-do and have not felt the recession’s bite. But he also noted a “remarkable growth in plastic surgery among the black middle class.”

In England

Actress Helen Mirren, aged 64, who played Her Majesty in the movie The Queen, gives cosmetic surgery her blessing. On a TV show this week, she said she does not plan to have any cosmetic procedures herself; but she says, “Go ahead ... if it makes you feel good."

In answer to the question of why women are going for cosmetic surgery in such a big way, she said:

"I don't think there's outside pressure; I think it's the pressure you put on yourself when you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning. You go, 'I don't want to look at that face anymore,' and I understand that, absolutely. I think people should be allowed to do whatever they want to make themselves feel happy."

Have you have been wondering about cosmetic surgery for yourself? Perhaps you have read a few pages on this site or others and have questions. If you would like to meet Dr. Rai and learn more about how cosmetic surgery procedures could enhance your appearance, please contact our Dallas, Texas office today.

Cryolipolysis™: A Future Alternative to Liposuction?

2010-01-26T12:05:00.000-06:00

A company called Zeltiq™ Aesthetics was founded in 2005 to develop non-invasive ways of removing fat from the body. Zeltiq is based on California. They have patented a method called Cryolipolysis™ that uses controlled cooling to cause the death of targeted fat cells. They are marketing it as a non-invasive alternative to Liposuction, requiring no incisions, stitches, or anesthetic.

According to a news report from yesterday, Cryolipolysis was conceived when someone noticed that children who suck on popsicles a lot develop cheek dimples. It was thought that fatty tissue was lost from the cheeks because of the cold popsicles being in contact with the cheeks so much. Zeltiq’s own press release credits two Massachusetts dermatologists and a Harvard-based research team.

How Cryolipolysis Works

A suction cup is used to take hold of an area of fat. It somehow cools that area down enough to kill the fat cells but does not harm the skin cells because they are more capable of surviving cold temperatures than are fat cells.

The suction cup is left in place for an hour. During this time, you can read, watch a movie, use a computer, or probably sleep, as you choose. The results are not immediately visible but after about two months you can notice the slimmer contour. From one treatment session, about one centimeter’s thickness of fatty tissue can be eliminated.

Not Yet FDA-Approved

At this point, Cryolipolysis is FDA-approved for certain dermatological treatments that require skin cooling, but is not approved for lipolysis. A handful of plastic surgery practices are offering Cryolipolysis however, which suggests that the FDA may be starting to test it for possible approval.

Since the FDA testing phases can last for several years and cost a great deal to the manufacturer, it may be a while before cosmetic surgeons nationwide are offering this procedure.

However, as usually seems to be the case, European countries are already offering it. In September 2009, Zeltiq™ Aesthetics announced that it had received the European CE Mark approval for Cryolipolysis. It was first performed in Hong Kong, where many people go from the Chinese mainland for their cosmetic surgery procedures.

At the Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer several forms of liposuction, including the minimally-invasive Ultrasonic Liposuction. It can be done on small areas such as the neck and you can see the results in our Before and After Gallery.

If you would like to know more about the ways liposuction can be done, and whether one of them would be best for you, please contact our plastic surgery office today. We serve the Dallas and Fort Worth areas in Texas and will be glad to schedule a free consultation for you with Dr. Rai.

Adult Stem Cell Breast Augmentation Performed

2010-01-22T12:58:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday, this space discussed the use of stem cells in tissue rebuilding, with a liposuction procedure to obtain your own stem cells. For about ten years now, plastic surgeons have been working on ways to extract and use a person’s adult stem cells -- both for repairing tissue after a disfiguring accident or a surgery like mastectomy, and for cosmetic body enhancement.

In Boca Raton yesterday, a breast enlargement was performed without using breast implants. Instead, fat was taken from the woman’s hips and thighs using tumescent liposuction and the adult stem cells were extracted from it. They were processed and used to create two grafts which were then inserted back into the breasts.

This enlarged the breasts by one cup size. The adult stem cells in the grafts will adapt to their new environment and create new breast cells. This will maintain the new breast size indefinitely. The body does not reject the grafts because it is the patient’s own tissue. Please see our previous blog for more information.

Superior Volume Retention

Physicians involved with this procedure estimate that with the stem cells being specially processed for a graft, the fat volume retention rate will be about 80 percent more than in standard fat grafting procedures currently being done. This would be a great benefit for both reconstruction and cosmetic enhancement of the body.

This breast augmentation was done by a member of a network of physicians who have been working on adult stem cell services. They offer genetic profiling, stem cell collection and processing, and cryogenic storage of your stem cells for future use.

This stem cell breast augmentation is not yet available to the public. It is not specifically FDA-approved because the FDA is only looking at stem cell use for disease treatments. However, it is legal in the U.S. and is being done in other countries.

If you would like to know more about breast enlargement and how it could best be done for you, please contact The Cosmetic Surgical Center today for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Rai.

Chinese Touring to Taiwan For Cosmetic Surgery

2010-01-19T11:42:00.001-06:00

Taiwan cosmetic surgeons have been doing very well through medical tourism in recent years. Their patients have been mostly hopping over the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. The secretary-general of the Kaohsiung Aesthetic Medical Tourism Promotion Association, one Chen Chun-ting, says.

“The demand from China is much higher than what we'd expected, and the visitors just keep coming in. As China gets richer, more and more people are paying attention to their appearance and are willing to spend money in this area.”

Taiwan also has a President who is more friendly towards mainland China, President Ma Ying-jeou, who took office in 2008. During 2009, over 480,000 people came from the mainland to Taiwan for plastic surgery, which is nearly five times as many as came over during 2008.

Taiwan’s Competitive Edge

Taiwan competes for these cosmetic surgery patients with Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, and those countries have been doing well with medical tourism also. However, since China and Taiwan share the same language and Taiwan is closer to the mainland, it has a competitive edge.

“Our main target has been mainland Chinese since cross-Strait ties improved," said Shih Chung-liang, head of Taiwan’s Bureau of Medical Affairs, part of the Health Department. Shih is expecting Taiwan’s medical tourism market to grow annually by about 20 percent.

People come for routine medical checkups also, not always for cosmetic surgery. Taiwan evidently provides better medical care all round compared to the mainland. A recent cosmetic surgery patient in Taiwan, Li Jinxun, who runs a construction firm, says, “I think the doctors in Taiwan are more skillful, the clinic is comfortable and the service is more cordial".

Chinese Citizens Becoming More Prosperous

China has been becoming more capitalist and more prosperous. One group of 30 Taiwan hospitals is predicting that its mainland clientele will double this year. The chief executive officer of that group, Wu Ming-yen, stated to a reporter that China now has about 100 million citizens with spending power equal to the average consumer in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“China is picking up in surgical skills as its economy rises but it still trails behind Taiwan in services. Unlike China, most hospitals in Taiwan are private and very competitive," he said.

Dr. Rai has top-of-the-line surgical skills and offers a full array of cosmetic surgery procedures. If you would like to schedule a free consultation with him to discuss your best cosmetic surgery options, please contact our office today. We serve the Dallas and Fort Worth areas in Texas.

Stem Cells and Plastic Surgery

2010-01-14T14:27:00.000-06:00

If you have liposuction and fat cells are removed from your body, those cells can be recycled. They can be grafted or injected to another part of the body where more fat is wanted or needed. When that is done using the correct techniques, the stem cells in the fatty tissue can provide improved healing after an injury or disfiguration. An example is breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.

What are Stem Cells?

There are two types of stem cells in mammals:

Embryonic stem cells
Adult stem cells

Use of embryonic stem cells is controversial, potentially illegal, and perhaps unnecessary in any case. All research on stem cells has so far used only adult stem cells. It has opened many doors in healing work and disease treatment.

Adult stem cells have the ability to change themselves into specific cell types for different body areas, such as muscle cells, bone cells, or heart cells – an ability called plasticity. They can do this for your entire lifetime. They can be obtained from bone marrow, blood, liver, skin, pancreas, eyes, tooth pulp and the digestive tract. Regardless of where stem cells are collected, they can transform themselves into different cell types.

You can obtain your own stem cells and store them in a stem cell bank in case you should need them for treating a future severe injury or disease. You can also collect your child’s stem cells when baby teeth fall out and there is a bank that will extract those stem cells and store them until your child might need them.

Using Your Own Stem Cells

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not yet approved the use of adult stem cells for any disease treatment, although it is done in other countries. However, you can use your own stem cells for cosmetic enhancement, as this is not within the FDA’s “drug therapy” classification.

Cosmetic surgeons have been experimenting with fat extraction and reinjection for about ten years. They have successfully rejuvenated the face, using fat with stem cells as more than a facial filler – the stem cells help to create new facial cells, including new blood vessels for increased blood supply. Breast enlargement can be done in a similar way. The hands can be revitalized and a Brazilian Butt Lift can help create an hourglass figure by using stem cell fat transfers.

Before the fat is re-used, the stem cells are separated out, processed to increase concentration, and reinserted into the fat. When they are your own fat cells, the body does not react against them and it is a safe procedure.

Experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Rai use only the safest and most reliable techniques and procedures. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Rai, please contact our office today.

Fillers to Cushion the Feet?

2010-01-11T13:24:00.000-06:00

The Harley Medical Group is a chain of cosmetic surgery clinics in the U.K. Recently their London facilities have been reporting that more women have been asking for dermal filler treatments in their feet.

This Foot Filler procedure began in 2008 among women who came for BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments and also asked for something to make their feet more comfortable in high heels. When you wear high heels all day at work, your feet can become sore and tired, especially if your job requires much standing or walking. During 2009, many more women asked for filler injections in their feet rather than change the style of shoes they wore.

Using dermal fillers such as Restylane or Sculptra for the feet plumps up the soles and thus gives more protection to the foot bones. However, since the entire weight of the body is pressing down on that treated area, the effects do not last very long – three months at the most. When you wear high heels, the body weight is pressing down on an even smaller area, just the toe areas. Foot Filler procedures are costing £240, which is about $400.

One wonders if a Foot Filler procedure requires buying a different shoe size. If the feet are more bulky, one’s current shoes might feel too tight and in spending £240 to relieve one discomfort, you might create a new one. Not to mention the added expense of new shoes.

How Dermal Fillers Work

Each brand of filler works differently. Restylane®, Captique™, and Hylaform use hyaluronic acid, which attracts water. It holds water in the injected area, beneath the skin, which creates a plumpness for rejuvenating the face. For feet, the water adds more mass between the foot bones and the ground.

Sculptra® uses polylactic acid crystals. They are dissolved in the injected Sculptra but as the body absorbs the fluid, the crystals remain in the skin’s middle layer, the dermis. Their presence stimulates new skin cell production, thickening the dermis and plumping up the skin surface for a more youthful look.

Radiesse® uses calcium-based microspheres. They are injected in a water-based gel and as the body absorbs the water, the spheres remain in the dermis, stimulating collagen production. This gives support to the skin surface, smoothing out lines and wrinkles.

If you would like to know more about the various facial fillers available, and discuss with Dr. Rai which one would work best for you, please contact The Cosmetic Surgical Center today and we will schedule a free consultation for you.

Dog Receives Cosmetic Surgery

2010-01-07T13:56:00.000-06:00

A Chinese Shar Pei is a breed of dog with very wrinkled skin. Last week in Sydney, Australia, an abandoned Shar Pei named Roland was given a facelift and a double blepharoplasty to smooth out his facial wrinkles and help him to see better. He had heavy folds hanging over his eyes that were partially blocking his vision and causing his eyelashes to turn inward, rubbing against his eyes and causing chronic pain and tearing.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was trying to find a home for him and having some trouble because of his vision problem and the cost of correcting it. Roland’s surgery took 90 minutes and cost A$897. Shar Pei dogs are large with a broad, flat head and a blue-black tongue. Roland has thick folds over his whole forehead and down the sides of his face. Now he has a smooth forehead and cheeks with a long, well-healed incision line from each jaw up over the forehead.

“[Wrinkles impairing eyesight] is not uncommon in this breed,” said the RSPCA’s chief vet, one Magdoline Awad. “It is a congenital problem. What we have done is made him adoptable.”

What is Blepharoplasty?

Dr. Rai offers blepharoplasty for both males and females. It is eyelid surgery and is the most popular male cosmetic surgery procedure. It removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids to create a more wide-awake, alert appearance. It thus corrects drooping eyelids and puffiness beneath the eyes, although it does not help with dark circles or bags under the eyes.

In some cases, blepharoplasty may be done as an alternative to a facelift, when it is the eyes that are contributing most to an aging look. Incisions are made in the eyelid creases so that the resulting thin scar is not visible when the eyes are open.

Dr. Rai also offers a procedure called Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty for people who have excess fatty tissue in the eyelids but not drooping skin. A very tiny opening is made in the inside surface of the eyelid through the conjunctiva, the eyelid lining. That means that no scar is visible, even when the eyes are closed. It is often suitable for young people.

If you would like to know more about eyelid surgery and facelifts, please contact The Cosmetic Surgical Center in Dallas today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

Cosmetic Improvements For China’s Communist Officials

2010-01-04T12:47:00.000-06:00

Age is catching up with the Chinese communist party leaders and it is reported that each year, over 500 of them are having cosmetic surgery. They are going to the Plastic Surgery Hospital at Beijing’s Union Medical College.

“The officials have to go on television much more than before,” said one of the senior surgeons at that facility. “[They] have to make many more appearances in public. They want to make sure they have the strong features that government officials are supposed to have.”

The surgeon, one Dr. Chen Huanran, says that more than 200 cosmetic operations are done on senior communist party officials every year. “'The number of operations on officials has risen quickly in recent years,' he said. 'Now at least 20 per cent of my patients are government officials.'

One can safely assume that BOTOX® Cosmetic would be at the top of this communist list, and probably facial fillers would be up there too. Perhaps some of them are having a full facelift or male blepharoplasty. Turkey necks can be improved with a facelift or done as a standalone procedure. If the cameras are showing the full figure, perhaps some of the spare tires are being reduced.

The question has already been raised as to how they are paying for their procedures, since cosmetic surgery in China is not cheap. Evidently their publicly declared salaries are too low for such expenses so it is thought that taxpayers may be footing these bills.

However, you do not need TV cameras and public appearances to enjoy rejuvenating your appearance. Dr. Rai offers a full array of plastic surgery procedures. If you would like to know more about any particular procedures, please contact our friendly Dallas office to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

New California Cosmetic Surgery Law

2009-12-31T22:33:00.000-06:00

On Friday, January 1, 2010, California will have a new cosmetic surgery law called the Donda West Law. It has been working its way through the California House and Senate for about a year. It is named after Kanje West’s mother, who died after her cosmetic surgery in 2007.

Kanje West is a rapper and actor. His mother had pre-existing cardiac problems that were evidently not made known to her Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon, who went ahead with a breast reduction, liposuction, and a tummy tuck in November 2007. Those procedures took eight hours and then she was sent home for recovery. However, the next day she was found in respiratory distress and was pronounced dead at a medical center that evening.

Pre-Existing Cardiac Condition

Those three procedures were major surgery, especially when done together for a woman aged 58. It appears from news reports that she was advised to recover at another facility where she would receive monitoring and proper care, but declined and instead went home. During the following day, she was in pain and having breathing difficulty but was walking around. She was left unattended near the end of the day and later found on her bed unresponsive.

After doing an autopsy, the coroner concluded that her breathing trouble “may have triggered the cardiac event” that caused her death and that she died from some pre-existing coronary artery disease and “multiple post-operative factors following surgery”.

Written Clearance Now Required Before Plastic Surgery

The new law will require that doctors do a physical exam within 30 days of any cosmetic surgery and sign off on a written clearance that the surgery will be safe. This law is designed to make sure that people do have a complete physical before any cosmetic surgery, because that could have prevented West’s death.

However, all reputable cosmetic surgeons already do a complete physical before they go forward with any cosmetic surgery. This law will make no difference to their surgery practice.

Dr. Rai offers a free consultation to all his new patients, where he listens to their goals and what they would like to have done, and evaluates whether it would be appropriate. A full physical is then done in a separate visit if he decides that cosmetic surgery is a possibility.

If you are interested in plastic surgery, whether major or minor, the first step would be to contact us for a consultation with Dr. Rai. We look forward to meeting with you and you can be very sure you will be in responsible and safe hands at our facility.

Tan Tax Replacing Botax?

2009-12-29T14:31:00.000-06:00

On December 15, 2009, this space reported on a planned cosmetic surgery tax of five percent. It was in a healthcare bill being considered by the U.S. Senate.

Now the Senate has replaced that tax with a ten percent tax on tanning salons. Apparently, cosmetic surgeons presented an effective opposition to that five percent tax, arguing that it would punish women unfairly, since most cosmetic patients are female. A very informative website was created to present the arguments against this tax.

Breast augmentation was the top cosmetic procedure in 2008 and Breast Lifts were close to the top at #6. Typically, men make up about ten percent of all cosmetic surgery patients, although that number has been rising.

Since the federal government is desperate to get more money somewhere, somehow, to cover their fantastical degree of spending over the past year, tanning salons are now targeted. They are fighting back, arguing that they already have heavily restricted access for teenagers and are already struggling in this poor economy. A new ten percent tax would put too much strain on their business.

Women Penalized Either Way

Salon owners are arguing that a tanning tax would punish women just as a cosmetic surgery tax would have, since most tanning customers are women. However, the tanning industry is not as large as the cosmetic surgery industry and they perhaps lack the lobbying power to fight effectively against this proposed tax. There are about 20,000 tanning salons nationwide, most being “Mom and Pop” businesses rather than large corporations.

One argument being presented in favor of a tanning tax is that it is linked to skin cancer and should be discouraged. This is a “sin tax” analogous to the cigarette tax, designed to discourage smoking but not to the point where no tax revenue would be collected.

However, if this is still a free country, it is the individual’s choice whether to smoke, get a suntan, or have liposuction, and not a government bureaucrat’s choice. Consumer education is the important thing so that when we make our choices, we know what risks we are taking, if any.

If you would like to learn more about the choices we offer at The Cosmetic Surgical Center, please call or email us today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

Dispute Over Missing Breast Implants

2009-12-23T16:45:00.000-06:00

In July 2008 in Taipei, a woman with a last name of Hung and an unknown first name had breast augmentation done. The surgeon was one Lee Chin-liang, the son-in-law of a TV show host.

Lee advised Hung to come in for a second surgery in September of this year and he would adjust the implants. After that six-hour procedure, Hung woke up to find that both her breast implants were gone. She gave a press conference in October about this and stated:

“I did not ask [him] to remove the implants, and the doctor refused to explain the situation to me until several days after the surgery.”

She also stated that Lee had refused to sign papers to transfer her to another hospital. She said she received dreadful treatment at his clinic and accused him of medical malpractice.

Lee scoffed at Hung’s statements, saying that he had removed the silicone gel implants because Hung had not massaged her breasts after the surgery and the implants had therefore contracted. He accused Hung of trying to extort NT$12 million (US$370,000) from him. Hung denied this and said that if Lee did not apologize she would take him to court.

City Government Stepping In

Also at the press conference was Taipei City Councilor Lee Wen-ying who said that Lee Chin-liang was in violation of the Physicians Law. Silicon gel breast implants had not been approved in Taiwan until October 2008 but the surgeon had implanted them in July. She said that Lee had failed to explain the breast implant surgery to Hung and suggested that the Taipei city government should look into this case to protect consumer rights.

In October 2009, Taipei’s Department of Health announced that they would look into this dispute. The surgeon is well-known in Taiwan. No doubt there will be more to this story.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rai also offers breast implants and always explains the procedure before he takes any action. Patient education is a high priority at The Cosmetic Surgical Center and we are all happy to answer questions at any time.

If you would like to know more about breast enhancement or any of our other cosmetic surgeries, please call or email us today to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rai.

Breast Implants an Issue in Divorce

2009-12-21T13:47:00.000-06:00

A couple in North Dakota is divorcing in Isaacson v. Isaacson and in dividing up the marital assets, the husband wants to count the money spent on his wife’s breast implants. He wants the cost of one implant repaid to him.

The Judge stated that this was “absolutely nonsense” and said:

“I can't imagine people would actually waste time thinking that breast implants are marital assets. It just defies common sense. I don't know how you would expect me to award breast implants, if you want me to have them cut out and given to Mr. Isaacson."

Mr. Isaacson’s lawyer has argued that medical expenses should be considered marital assets when they paid for procedures that are "clearly cosmetic, elective, (and) non-necessary." Isaacson’s share would be $5,500. He is also asking for half of the cost of his wife’s LASIK surgery, another $1,000.

Where Might This End?

It seems to be human nature to push at every envelope. The North Dakota is considering whether they should include a breast implant as a marital asset and wondering how far this line of thinking might be taken by others. Justice Daniel Crothers asked last week, during the debate:

“Do we have any lines to be drawn? Is dental work a marital asset? Is a hip replacement a marital asset?”

In another case in New York, a Long Island surgeon demanded that his estranged wife return the kidney he had donated to her; or else pay him $1.5 million for it. He had donated the kidney in 2001 and claims that only 18 months later she had an extramarital affair. At the end of three years she filed for a divorce. Divorce experts do not think he can succeed in having a kidney classified as a marital asset.

Mrs. Isaacson’s attorney is claiming that Mr. Isaacson is just trying to embarrass his wife. However, his wife has a lot of company in choosing to have breast implants. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), breast augmentation replaced liposuction in 2008 as the most popular surgery.

If you would like to talk with Dr. Rai about how cosmetic surgery could enhance your appearance, please contact our office today and we will be happy to schedule a free consultation for you.

The Botax and the Implant Imposition

2009-12-15T15:25:00.000-06:00

The U.S. Senate is currently considering a bill for what the media call “health care reform”, meaning the imposition of government-run healthcare. It includes a five percent tax on all cosmetic surgery – procedures such as liposuction, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and breast implants that are done to enhance one’s appearance rather than to repair an abnormality or reconstruct after an injury.

These are the procedures that insurance companies currently do not pay for, for the same reason. For example, rhinoplasty can be done for either cosmetic enhancement of the nose or for correction of breathing problems such as a deviated septum – and it can be done for both reasons at the same time. In other words, a rhinoplasty can give you both cosmetic and health benefits. There is an ongoing battle between cosmetic surgeons and insurance companies as to whether each rhinoplasty should be covered or not, or whether it should be partially covered.

The Senate’s bill would apparently classify all rhinoplasties as cosmetic, although without reading the bill, we cannot know that for certain. In the current declining economy, cosmetic surgeons have been suffering from reduced business to some extent, and are mostly opposed to any tax on cosmetic surgery.

Are You Among “The Rich”?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), about 40 percent of cosmetic surgery patients are in the income range of $30,000 to $60,000. So it is not only “the rich” who have cosmetic surgery. It is anyone and everyone who saves up enough money for it, or who takes out a loan.

Also opposing this proposed tax are the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Organization for Women (NOW). Most cosmetic surgery patients are women and this tax would unfairly penalize them. NOW’s president recently stated to a New York Times reporter that “in a society that punishes women for getting older,” this tax would punish them further.

As mentioned in this space on December 8, 2009, New Jersey has a breast enlargement tax and is now moving towards repealing it. It failed to generate the expected income for the government because it reduced cosmetic surgery in New Jersey. People went out of state for their procedures.

On a national scale, the same thing could happen. If the federal government taxes cosmetic surgery, many people may go to another country for their procedures. Cosmetic surgery tourism is already a thriving trade worldwide. In any case, according to Vivian Ho, a health economist at Rice University, whatever income a federal cosmetic surgery tax generated for Washington would be “a drop in the bucket”, since the bill’s price tag is $850 Billion.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery procedures (all currently un-taxed), please contact our Dallas, Texas office today for a free consultation with Dr. Rai.