Cosmetic Surgery | Will Surgical Arts | Dr. Michael J. Will, MD, DDS, FACS

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Michael J. Will, MD, DDS, FACS
Maryland (301) 874-1707

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Researching Cosmetic Surgery: How to Get the Facts

Before you pull the trigger and pay for a cosmetic surgery procedure, you want to get the researching cosmetic surgerynitty gritty facts about risks, benefits, costs and so on. Doing this will help you in 2 ways:

  1. You’ll be able to protect yourself against unproven, unsafe cosmetic procedures
  2. You’ll be able to weigh the risks and benefits against your values, to see if the procedure is truly a good fit for you.

Where do I look?

It’s lazy to say research it and expect you to find all the right sources. Too often, customers are looking in the wrong places for legitimate answers to their questions.  You want unbiased, scientific information; here are a few tips on where to find it.

Continue reading “Researching Cosmetic Surgery: How to Get the Facts” »

Top Reasons For the Popularity of Cosmetic Surgery

popularity of cosmetic surgeryDespite the economy, the popularity of cosmetic surgery continues to grow in this country, reports Newsweek.

Consider this: between 2009 and 2010 Americans spent less on food, housing, clothes and entertainment, according to the article. Yet the popularity of cosmetic surgery increased during this same time, with people spending more on cosmetic procedures, such as:

Why Cosmetic Surgery is More Popular Than Ever

Why the increase in spending on cosmetic surgery? A potential career boost is one reason: some hope a nose job could lead to a real job.

For instance, one surgeon reported that recently more patients say they hope their younger look will help them stay competitive in their jobs.

Since some see it as an investment in their careers, they may use financing options that are now available to many cosmetic surgery patients. Financing options have allowed more people who may not have been able to afford it otherwise to undergo procedures. One surgeon in Michigan reported that about one in six of his patients will borrow money to pay for their procedures.

The cosmetic industry has also focused more on new marketing strategies in recent years. Consumers can find Groupon deals on some procedures or attend Botox parties with friends, for instance.

Finally, there’s more acceptance of cosmetic surgery in general, with 69 percent of people 18 to 24 saying they approve of cosmetic procedures. Meanwhile, cosmetic surgery is up almost 30 percent for senior citizens in the last five years.

Interested in cosmetic surgery in Frederick County, Md.? Contact Dr. Will, and check out the current specials for the holiday season.

Patients have Less Scalp Numbness Early on with Endoscopic Brow Lift

Brow lift surgery can help minimize signs of aging in the forehead area of the face, correcting problems such as frown lines, creases across the forehead and a low or sagging brow.

The open brow lift and the endoscopic brow lift are two common techniques for the surgery. The open brow lift has one continuous incision from ear to ear, going up around the hair line, whereas the endoscopic brow lift has a few shorter incisions in the scalp. The endoscope, a surgical video device, is inserted into one of the incisions for viewing, and the surgeon uses another incision to make the necessary alterations.

A study published recently in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery compared postoperative numbness in the scalp and forehead for the two techniques and found that endoscopic brow lifts resulted in less numbness early on, but after 18 months, the results were about the same.

Twenty-one participants took part in the study; 11 had an endoscopic brow lift and 10 had an open brow lift. Those who had the open brow lift had significantly greater objective loss of sensation from one to two weeks to 12 to 14 weeks after surgery, and greater subjective sensory loss from four to six weeks to 12 to 14 weeks. However, the differences were no longer present at 24 to 26 weeks after surgery.

The researchers also conducted a retrospective analysis of 58 patients followed up at six months or more postoperatively. Once again, the open  group had more numbness early on, but the differences disappeared after the 18-month point.

Despite the numbness, the authors found that “almost no patients (57 of 58), irrespective of the technique used for their brow lift, viewed their experienced forehead and/or scalp numbness to have been significant enough to deter them from undergoing the surgery again.”

Dr. Will performs endoscopic brow lifts because the technique uses fewer incisions, reducing scarring and patient recovery time.

7 Steps to a Safer Cosmetic Surgery Experience

Considering a cosmetic surgery procedure? A recently published article on CNN.com offers 7_plastic_surgery_tipsa multitude of tips and guidelines that can help you achieve a safer surgery experience.

We organized them into 7 basic steps you can follow.

1. Ask about your surgeon’s experience, credentials and hospital privileges. A qualified surgeon should have no problem sharing his/her experience or credentials.

2. Ask about board certification. Find out what board has certified your surgeon and what standards must be met to receive that certification.

3. Find out if your surgeon has a prevention plan for complications such as DVT. Deep vein thrombosis is a possible plastic surgery complication. Your doctor should take steps to minimize the risk and be prepared to see early signs of its occurrence.

4. Research your procedure thoroughly, with reputable sources. Research will help you protect yourself and help you decide if elective cosmetic surgery is truly in line with your personal values. Don’t know where to look? We like to use the library, where you can access thousands of peer reviewed medical journals.

Continue reading “7 Steps to a Safer Cosmetic Surgery Experience” »

Your Guide to Liposuction Recovery

Liposuction Recovery Maryland Dr. Michael J. Will Ijamsville, MD Your Guide to Liposuction Recovery by Dr. Michael J. Will

Now is one of the most popular times for people to undergo bigger procedures like liposuction or a breast augmentation. With all of the time off from work, cold weather keeping you inside, and the desire to start the New Year differently, winter is definitely a convenient time to finally go for that cosmetic procedure that you have been wanting. For those of you who chose to kick off 2014 with liposuction for a healthier, slimmer body, this is your guide to your best recovery.

Continue reading “Your Guide to Liposuction Recovery” »

Gifting Cosmetic Surgery? Here’s Some Free Advice

Cosmetic surgery as a holiday gift might sound a little outlandish, but for some give_me_giftspeople it can far outweigh the satisfaction of typical gifts like new electronics, a vacation, and especially that funky sweater.

Do you know someone who’s been talking about getting a certain procedure for years, but never followed through?  “There are a large number of people who really want cosmetic surgery, and they just need that little nudge or incentive to get it done” says Dr. Mark Berman, President-Elect of the AACS.

However, Berman also offers some crucial advice for those of you considering this type of extraordinary gift: Make sure you’ve discussed the idea with the recipient so it doesn’t come as a total surprise.

A consumer survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery revealed that nearly 50 percent of consumers would forego an expensive vacation or even a luxury car to pay for cosmetic surgery.

For those women who have been pondering the idea for years, the gift of a mommy-makeover or a  breast augmentation could be very exciting.

Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara Talks Cosmetic Surgery

Sofia VergaraAt this point, there’s no denying that Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara (aka Gloria) is one of Hollywood’s sexiest actresses, and like her co-star Julie Bowen, she isn’t afraid to open up about cosmetic surgery.

When recently asked by StyleCaster, the actress had this to say:

“Yeah, I would definitely do something. Not something crazy but little things here or there. Hopefully, when the time comes and I’m considering it, there will be even better treatments out there.”

Vergara is certainly right – the future of cosmetic enhancement is looking bright. Scientists are even developing new treatments that involve injecting stem cells taken from a patient’s blood to banish wrinkles.

This isn’t the first time Vergara has talked cosmetic enhancement. Back in 2011, she offered up her two cents to Health Magazine.

“I don’t really think that plastic surgery can make you look young,” she told the mag. “It can make you look prettier, but if you go with the mentality of being young, I think that’s where accidents can happen.”

Trends in Cosmetic Enhancement

Sofia Vergara isn’t alone when it comes to her views on cosmetic enhancement. In recent years, the rates of both non-surgical and surgical procedures continue to see increases, despite a rocky economy.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 13.5 million non-surgical procedures (e.g., Botox injections, wrinkle fillers and laser hair removal) and over a million surgical procedures (e.g., breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and liposuction) were performed in 2011. Non-surgical procedures were up 5 percent from 2010, while surgical procedures were up 2 percent.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Social Media May Be Increasing Rates of Cosmetic Surgery

social media and cosmetic surgeryWe all have those friends who seem to derive pleasure from tagging us in unflattering Facebook photos, but would a little embarrassment ever prompt you to consider cosmetic surgery? For some people, the answer is a resounding yes.

Social media has become one of our primary forms of communication, especially with people we don’t get to see on a regular basis (think ex-boyfriends, high school friends, etc.). Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn center on photographs and a handful of unflattering photos can take a toll on our self-image.

Dr. Mandell-Brown, a Cincinnati cosmetic surgeon admits that he’s seen an increase in procedures directly related to unflattering photos appearing on various social media outlets.

“All of us want to look our best,” Mandell-Brown said. “We’re finding people who are single, who are looking for jobs. They’re using LinkedIn, they’re using some of their Facebook and other social media avenues to seek friends or seek positions, re-contact old friends from high school and they want to present their best possible image.”

Even during a recession, people are still willing to invest in their looks.

“Even though they might tighten the budget, they’ll spend money maybe on Botox or on little things such as soft tissue fillers or facial peels,” said Mandell-Brown. “We’re seeing an increase in those procedures compared to the more expensive tummy tucks, breast lifts, breast augmentation, mommy makeovers, because it’s more affordable for some of these procedural cosmetic things that can be performed. But in our practice, we’ve been very fortunate – and each year we see just a little percentage increase and it may be partly the social media.”

As of 2012, Facebook alone accounts for estimated 845 million active users and 250 million photos are uploaded by users on a daily basis. The pressure to go under the knife (or needle) doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon. Only time will tell how social media will affect the cosmetic enhancement industry.

Source: ABC News

Photo Credit: christoph_aigner

Five Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery Fixes for Men

most popular cosmetic surgery for menToday more men than ever are undergoing cosmetic surgery. They tend to favor non-surgical procedures that have little or no recovery time and subtle results.

Most Popular Cosmetic Surgery for Men

The most popular procedure for men is Botox. Hair transplantation / restoration, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and liposuction also made the list of the top five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for men, according to statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS).

For liposuction, men often focus on areas like the lower back, upper flanks and abdomen, otherwise known as the “spare tire.” However, removal of fat from under the chin — neck liposuction — is also becoming more popular for men.

A survey conducted by the AACS found that 12 percent of men said they plan to have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future. Why are more men turning to cosmetic surgery? Spouses and significant others may play a role in encouraging it. Men may also feel pressure to maintain a more-youthful look for their careers.

Barry Lind, 52, told a newspaper that he chose to have cosmetic surgery after losing weight, which left him looking like a “12-year-old St. Bernard.”

“After successfully losing 30 pounds over two years, I decided to get a neck reduction at age 47,” Lind said. “That consisted of liposuction and tightening of my neck muscles.”

A year later, Lind got a chin implant. “I’ve maintained my weight, and I look great,” said Lind. “No regrets.”

Researchers Link Cosmetic Surgery & Reality TV

According to a recent study, teens who watch cosmetic surgery reality TV shows are more likely to have an interest in getting cosmetic surgery for themselves.

Published in the journal Body Image, the study’s results showed that “participants who reported favorable impressions of reality television shows featuring cosmetic surgery were more likely to indicate interest in pursuing surgery,” according to the abstract.

There were two parts to the study. The researchers, Charlotte Markey, an associate professor of psychology at Rutgers–Camden, and her husband Patrick Markey of Villanova University, surveyed 170 participants to assess their impression of reality TV shows that feature cosmetic surgery (such as Extreme Makeover), appearance satisfaction, self-esteem, and their interest in cosmetic surgery.

A second part of the study asked 189 participants (51% female) for their reactions to a TV show; half were shown a cosmetic surgery makeover program and the other half a show on home improvement.

The results showed that women were more likely to want cosmetic surgery than men, and that viewers of the cosmetic surgery show were more inclined to consider the procedure for themselves than those who didn’t view the show.

The studies were done to “examine the influence of media messages about cosmetic surgery on youths’ interest in altering their own physical appearance,” according to the abstract of the article, titled “A correlational and experimental examination of reality television viewing and interest in cosmetic surgery.”

Cosmetic makeover shows include the now-canceled Extreme Makeover, Fox’s The Swan, MTV’s I Want a Famous Face, E’s Dr. 90210 and Oxygen’s Addicted to Beauty.

To read the abstract visit the Science Direct website.

“Patient care was incredible! We are so very happy our child was referred to Dr. Will. We appreciate the attentiveness given to his medical condition. Will highly recommend to others.”

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