A New and Improved You
by Leeanne Griffin
 August
2005 - Contrary to popular belief, plastic surgery patients aren’t
always Beverly Hills types, driving around in red convertibles and flush
with cash. Just as often, they are your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances
right here in Central Massachusetts.
With advancements in technology allowing for more procedural options and
less downtime after surgery, more men and women of all ages and income
levels are taking these medical measures to improve themselves. According
to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 9.2 million procedures were
performed nationwide in 2004. With 36 plastic surgeons and practices listed
in the Worcester Yellow Pages, local residents have no shortage of options
to pursue.
Surgical procedures vary greatly by age group. Patients in their twenties
opt mostly for breast enhancement in the form of augmentation, reduction,
or lift, and also head for liposuction, skincare, and laser hair removal.
Older females are more likely to choose tummy tucks or Botox and other
forms of facial rejuvenation like facelifts and eyelifts. Male patients
come in for liposuction on problem areas such as the abdomen, back, and
chest, and they too often opt for eyelid tucks. Some practices offer surgery
for men afflicted with gynecomastia, a common disease of the male breast
where there is a benign glandular enlargement.
Liposuction is believed to be the most popular procedure nationwide, but
isn’t recommended for everyone; candidates need to be within a certain
percentage of their ideal body weight to be considered healthy enough
to undergo the surgery.
”Sometimes the actual weight loss is as little as two pounds,”
said Karin Rokicki, a medical assistant at Salisbury Plastic Surgery,
P.C., located at 39 Salisbury Street in Worcester. “It’s more
about shaping and sculpting the area. Very rarely will a patient go down
a whole pant size.”
Like any surgery, plastic surgery procedures carry risks – there
is potential for infection, excessive bleeding, loss of sensation in the
affected area, and complications from anesthesia.
People with complex medical problems, such as a history of cardiac troubles,
certain forms of diabetes, or particular emotional disorders may not be
recommended for plastic surgery. A thorough evaluation of the patient’s
health is completed during the first consultation to determine eligibility
for elective surgery.
”The initial consultation is also important for patients to think
realistically about the results of their procedure,” said Rokicki.
If you decide that plastic surgery is for you, you will be joining a substantial
number of local residents who have also chosen this route. Melissa Herron
of UMass Memorial’s Cosmetic Surgery Center (Hahnemann Campus) estimates
that the hospital sees anywhere from 60-90 of this kind of patient per
day.
“Plastic surgery can be a great thing,” she says. “We
have patients who work out, eat well, and lead healthy lifestyles, but
there might be one area of their body that bothers them – this can
be the extra step to get them on their way to feeling wonderful about
themselves.”
Here’s a quick look at today’s most popular plastic surgery
procedures:
Liposuction:
Plastic surgeons remove excess fat from patients’ problem areas,
including hips and thighs, buttocks, back, abdomen, the sides of the waist,
or specific parts of the face and neck. The fat is removed by placing
a small tube into the area through a small incision. Performed under general
or spinal anesthesia, the procedure can take anywhere from one to four
hours depending on the area. Liposuction is not meant to be a form of
weight loss; rather, to sculpt and shape the body area. Rates for each
procedure can range from $3,000 - $5,000.
Breast augmentation:
Surgeons place a salinefilled implant under the muscles of the chest wall
to create body symmetry. This procedure is often performed to restore
natural body shape after child bearing or to give individuals with naturally
smaller breasts a more shapely bustline. Upon consultations prior to surgery,
the individuals discuss their expectations for size and shape with the
surgeon. Breast augmentation surgeries start at about $5,000. This procedure,
like many other elective surgeries, is not covered by health insurance
unless there is a problem with asymmetry (one breast is at least one cup
size larger than the other).
Botox:
A solution designed to temporarily reduce or eliminate frown lines, crow’s
feet and horizontal forehead lines is injected into the face. The results
of each treatment last approximately 2-5 months. This is a relatively
simple procedure, performed in an office as opposed to a hospital or surgical
setting. Patients may return to daily activities immediately after treatments.
Botox treatments range from $150-300 per injection, depending on the area(s)
of the face targeted.
Facelifts:
Facelift procedures are intended to tighten sagging skin that results
from aging, smoking, or sun damage and to create a more youthful-looking
appearance. Through a series of incisions and lifts, the skin is pulled
more tightly across the neck and jawline. The average surgeon’s
fee for this procedure is about $5,300, but additional hospital fees and/or
anesthesia may increase the price considerably.
Tummy tuck/abdominoplasty:
This procedure entails the removal of excess abdominal skin in order to
create a smoother abdomen. An incision is made above the pubic bone across
the entire lower abdomen and skin is lifted off the abdominal muscles
up to the ribs. The excess is removed and the skin is tightened. A drain
(plastic tubing) is temporarily placed underneath to draw off fluid and
is removed after several days. Abdominoplasty is day surgery and is performed
under general anesthesia (the patient is asleep) or with a spinal. This
procedure is estimated at about $6,000.
Sources: Salisbury Plastic Surgery, P.C.,
Worcester, MA.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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