Currently viewing the category: "plastic surgery"

Germany Looks to Ban Baby Boob-Jobs

By On · Add Comment · In breast enlargement, cosmetic surgery, Germany, liposuction, minors, plastic surgery, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (DGPRAC), The German Society of Plastic
A little common sense coming out of Germany this week (leave it to the Germans), as they call for a ban on cosmetic surgery for minors (under 18-years-old). The bid is coming from a number of political groups that argue, “Even with a proper explanation, it is not guaranteed that the young person is aware of the full implication of the decision” to undergo plastic surgery.The move was pushed by groups dealing with health matters, including Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, and was welcomed by medical associations.

They want the ban to be wrapped into new patient-protection legislation, preventing youngsters from getting popular breast enlargements and nose jobs. This a little more than a year following the death of a German adult film star on the operating table during her sixth breast augmentation (as reported on this blog).

But The German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (DGPRAC) warns that the “sweeping ban” might prevent some young people from getting a necessary intervention. Despite their concern, the DGPRAC basically supports the ban.

Hey, and who wouldn’t? Except for a few brain dead parents that gift their children liposuction and boob-jobs for their sixteenth birthday. Although I am certain that banning plastic surgery for minors will only delay the inevitable for those with low self-esteem, I just don’t believe that kids should have access to these procedures while they are still developing (which incidentally continues until about twenty-five years old).

I know some people think cosmetic surgery for kids is no different than getting them braces, but I disagree. How cutting into and out of people’s bodies is anything like structurally modifying with a brace is ludicrous, and I believe that very soon American Medical authorities will get some sense and ban the butchery for babes. So you might be entitled to your opinion, parents for plastic surgery, but at least in Germany, your kid ain’t gettin’ a boob job until she’s eighteen (and I know even more importantly it will prevent children from getting surgical work done without their parents’ consent).

Invasive Procedures Overseas Not Smart

By On · Add Comment · In Bali, body piercing, dental work, ear piercing, health, hepatitis, HIV, hygeine, Indonesia, plastic surgery, sex, tattoos

It appears as if I must close out 2011 by warning people against getting invasive procedures overseas. Yesterday breast augmentation, today tattoos. Yes, tattoos are invasive–and if you’re planning on getting one overseas because the price is right, reconsider. Australian officials claim that a recent tattoo receiver likely caught HIV from the ink-needle of an artist on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Australian health authorities recommended that people who had recently been tattooed on the island, known for its white sandy beaches, partying and nightlife, should consider being tested for HIV and other blood-borne viruses (and I’m personally even more afraid of hepatitis).

“All the evidence points to a tattoo received recently in Bali as being the source of the infection,” Western Australia’s Department of Health said in a statement dated Friday.

“This case demonstrates the very real health risk in having this type of procedure done overseas,” said Paul Armstrong, the department’s director of communicable disease control.

No shiitakes! Dang people, what’s with the utmost trust in others that makes you think humans are above using dirty tools on you? That’s just foolish. Forget the ignorance and differences in standards of many third world countries–but some people just don’t care. One reason we take things like simple hygiene for granted in the western world is that we’ve gone through the pain of experience over the last century to understand the cleanliness/godliness thing. In other words, we’ve got to be clean by law, and any violation is met with punishment and shutdown. Can we say the same for Bali?
The real answer from me is, “I don’t know”…but that’s enough for me to keep my procedures home-grown. So if you don’t know, these procedures would include:

  • plastic surgery
  • tattoos
  • dental work
  • other surgeries
  • ear piercings
  • other body piercings
  • delivering babies
  • and darn it…probably sex too (but that’s just my peculiarity)
If you feel like the deal you’re getting overseas just can’t be beat, then, well…just know the risks. I’d pay top dollar, myself, to know I’m getting the best procedures done; but really, I do care and think about my health like that. Hope you do too.

Here’s Looking at You, Kid

By On · Add Comment · In breast enlargement, liposuction, Morocco, penis enlargement, penoplasty, plastic surgery, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck

What’s more in demand today than plastic surgery?  Cheap plastic surgery!  Don’t act surprised…who doesn’t love a deal?  And when it come to slicing and dicing your morphology, at rock bottom prices, no place beats Morocco.  Ah yes, Moroccan rhinoplasty–best in the world for under five grand.

According to a recent report, people are flocking to Morocco and its neighboring Tunisia for plastic surgery.  Clinics are plentiful in Rabat and Casablanca, where tourist can get procedures for less than half the cost of European clinics.

Morocco has a history of plastic surgery dating back to the 1950s.  When sex-change operations were banned in Europe, Morocco was a hub.

“The demand for cosmetic surgery in Morocco is actually growing steadily.  There are about 1,000 to 1,200 cosmetic surgeries per month in Morocco, and 10-15% of patients came from abroad,” said Salaheddine Slaoui, a specialist in cosmetic and reparative surgery, adding that the number of plastic surgeries had also doubled in the last decade.

The two most popular procedures are breast enlargement and liposuction.  You don’t say?  And the enhancement of choice for men?  Why, that would be penoplasty, or a good ol’ fashioned penis enlargement.  Yes sir!  In Morocco…sky’s the limit.

Says Sloui again, “Compared with last year, the number of consultations for penoplasty has practically multiplied by five!”

Hey you want it all, and who blames you?  New teats, improved package, cheap price…sounds like Morocco’s the place for you.  And since practically any doctor can practice cosmetic surgery in the western world (at least the U.S.) without special credentials (re: Jan Adams), then why should you worry about a third-world tummy tuck?  You shouldn’t!  Here’s looking at you, kid.

Death by Plastic Surgery

By On · Add Comment · In American Board of Plastic Surgery, anti-aging, Donda West, Dr. 90210, Dr. Jan Adams, emboli, Kanye West, Oprah, plastic surgery, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis
Donda West, mother of Kanye West, died last Saturday at the age of 58, from complications potentially stemming from plastic surgery. She was taken to the hospital after she stopped breathing at her home, and preliminary reports hint that she may have had an underlying medical condition that should have prevented her from receiving the surgery at all. The procedure–reportedly a tummy tuck–was performed by Hollywood superstar and Oprah plastic surgeon of the month selection, Dr. Jan Adams.

Another Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Andre Aboolian, said that Ms. West approached him several months ago, but that he would not perform the surgery without a medical clearance. Dr. Aboolian’s objections were due to a “pre-existing condition” that he felt might cause complications, specifically a heart attack. Well, looks like the good doctor might have been right.

This sad and very tragic story brings to light a few points I’ve been trying to get across for awhile. First, plastic surgery is not without risks. I touched upon this in detail in my podcast on Anti-aging (Dr Nick Show, Episode 4) and also cover it in my upcoming book, The Six Keys To Optimal Health. Too many people are seeking the “cosmetic” option as if it were as simple as getting one’s hair done. Surgery cuts. Surgery scars. Surgery causes wounds. And here goes some Physiology 101: What happens when the body suffers a cut or a wound?–the blood clots in order to plug up the wound. What happens if a clot gets lodged into a blood vessel?–Thrombosis. What happens if that thrombosis breaks free and lodges into the lungs?–Pulmonary embolism; bye, bye. (Read my article on clots and emboli, it’ll explain things a little more.

Second, if you’re going to go forth with surgery, wouldn’t it make sense to get the best? Why would you half-ass it with some schmuck. If the first guy tells you that he won’t do it because of possible complications, and the second guys doesn’t tell you the same thing–run! Or is the new rack more important that your life? Hello!!!

I know, I know…”But he was on T.V. I saw him on Oprah: and, well, Oprah always picks such good books, so I figured the other guy was just trying to pull a fast one.” Oh wait, Dr. Adams isn’t board certified.

Here’s a tip: When one doctor says he won’t perform a procedure that’ll bring him lots of money–he’s ethical! When another one says he’ll perform a procedure that another one will not, he’s either been lied to (by the patient), he’s a maverick (not something to look for in a doctor), or he’s a money-grubbing jackass.

Here are a few other useful tips from Dr. Richard D’Amico, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, who says that the number of non-board certified plastic surgeons performing cosmetic procedures is staggering:

  • pick a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which requires a doctor to graduate from an accredited medical school, have certain plastic surgery training and pass comprehensive exams;
  • if the surgery takes place outside a hospital, pick a properly accredited or licensed facility;
  • and patients must be thoroughly evaluated to ensure they are healthy enough to get through an operation, with checks for heart issues, diabetes or a history of blood clots.

And, I’ll add a few more:

  • never, ever get a procedure done in a foreign country–especially one that’s underdeveloped–in order to save a buck;
  • stop watching (and glorifying) Dr. 90210–these clowns are not board certified.
  • definitely don’t let your teenage daughter go under the knife unless she’s been disfigured in an accident or been burned–it’s not worth the risk.

We’ve got to pull the positive out of this tragedy that has befallen the West family, anyway. If it means that the pedestalizing of cosmetic surgery finally comes to an end–then good! And if it means that a few gynecologists, family doctors, oral surgeons and other medicos go back to their regular day jobs–even better. The world will be safer place, that’s for sure.

Anti-Aging Again

By On · Add Comment · In anti-aging, cosmeceuticals, hormone injections, plastic surgery

Anti-aging? Anti-aging? What’s all this about anti-aging?

Don’t you know? I’m just trying to make a billion dollars. Can’t you feel your wrinkles whisking away as you read this? That’s because this is an anti-aging blog–fully endorsed by the Anti-Aging Millionaire Bloggers Association of South America. Just deposit $1,000 into my Swiss PayPal account. Hey, I think I’m on to something here.
No seriously…doesn’t it seem like every health product being sold to us has some anti-aging connection? You’re not imagining it. Anti-aging is HUGE business. Check out the latest episode of the Dr. Nick Show to see where they’re trying to get you.
Listen, you can’t stop aging, but you can certainly slow down the effects. How, Doc, how? What’s the secret? Is it plastic surgery? Hmmm, it does something; but there are risks. Check out some here (Some doctors who specialize in fixing bad cosmetic surgery estimate that approximately 25 percent of their practice involves fixing the mistakes and errors of other surgeons). More danger here. And can you believe that some people are leaving the country to get a bargain nip and tuck.
And how about hormone injections? Well, you’ll probably need a bigger hat–just ask Barry.
Cosmetics? You know when dermatologists jump in, the game has gotten lucrative. Unfortunately, the science behind cosmeceuticals is thin, and danger looms.
Supplements? Log on to the Dr. Nick Show to find out natural ways to slow down the aging process.
What happened to the good ol‘ fashioned anti-aging methods of yesterday? That is, simply lying about your age. Interesting how, as some things change, the more they stay the same.
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