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Although it might seem that men are catching up quickly, when it comes to having plastic surgery, this is still a woman’s game by a very large margin. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reveals from its 2014 plastic surgery statistics that women accounted for 92% of all cosmetic procedures, with the remaining 8% going to men. These demographic trends spell it out in big numbers this way: 13.6 million total cosmetic procedures were performed for women in 2014, while 1.3 million total cosmetic procedures were recorded for men. That means both women and men were seeking plastic surgery as well as non-invasive cosmetic treatments.

Non-Invasive Treatments Attracting Both Sexes

Plastic surgery is still a huge business no matter which sex is yielding to the scalpel or the needle. Americans are interested in looking their best. In fact, the number of cosmetic procedures done in America has grown a whopping six-fold since 1997. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery noted that cosmetic enhancement jumped from 1.7 million to 10.6 million (a slight dip from 2013), costing Americans $12 billion.

Long gone are the days when patients merely went in for a face lift and then went home to recover. To improve upon the look, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have become extremely talented in adding facial fillers to further enhance their surgical work and give the face a more youthful, natural appearance with attractive contours.

Injectables Influencing Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Trends

Injectables containing fillers or fat have exploded on the scene, and these treatments have given way to new trends like the famous Kardashian behind. The numbers don’t lie, because the largest jump in 2014 was in buttock augmentation, which sky-rocketed 86% compared to 2013, according to statistics compiled by the ASAPS.

Top Procedures

Although women may rule plastic surgery headlines, men also want to project a better self-image. The ASPS released these 2014 trends citing the top male-­focused procedures:

1. Pectoral implants (1,054 procedures – increased 208 percent from 2013 to 2014)
2. Male breast reductions (26,175 procedures in 2014 – increased 29 percent since 2000)

For women, the top five cosmetic surgical procedures of 2014 included:

1. Breast Augmentation
2. Nose Reshaping
3. Liposuction
4. Eyelid Surgery
5. Face Lift

With greater and greater frequency, men are seeking the services of a plastic surgeon to look young and to stay competitive in the job market. Though many men seek plastic surgery for purely aesthetic purposes, an increasing number of patients are looking to gain a competitive edge in work environments that value young, fit, and masculine producers. Male cosmetic procedures, including plastic surgery and non-invasive work, jumped by 106 percent from 1997 to 2012 according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Nearly one million cosmetic procedures were performed on men in 2012, accounting for 10 percent of the total aesthetic practice.

Popular Facial Changes

Many men who may not have typically considered plastic surgery are starting to realize the dramatic effects cosmetic procedures can produce. With a few relatively simple procedures, an average-looking man can upgrade to an appealing and masculine appearance. Jawline and cheekbone augmentation and elongating the chin are popular choices for a face that gets more attention.

Some men are simply looking to regain the physique they were so proud of in college. After a few years in the workforce and a couple kids, a man may want to reverse the 15-20 pounds he has put on and reduce some of the wrinkles he has accrued. For those wishing to turn back the clock a bit, jawline re-contouring, an eyelid lift, and liposuction may be in order.

Men who are specifically looking to stay competitive as a CEO or board member and possibly enhance their careers often consider refreshing facelift and some liposuction can help deliver a vibrant and confident look. As with leaving a touch of grey in the hair, keeping some wrinkles can convey wisdom and experience. Jawline re-contouring can again be helpful, as can a neck lift.

Popular Body Changes

Unfortunately for some, no amount of time in the gym can produce what nature and genetics simply did not provide. For men looking to enhance their physical stature and have the body builder’s physique, gluteal implants can boost the backside in ways no amount of squats can achieve. Pectoral implants are also popular, as is gynescomastia (removing fatty tissue from the breasts) for those who may be suffering from steroid side effects. High definition liposuction can also chisel out the abs and remove the most tenacious fat reservoirs.

According to ASAPS, the most common procedures being performed on men are rhinoplasty (nose job), liposuction, eyelid surgery, breast tissue removal (gynescomastia), and ear reshaping. As non-invasive techniques continue to improve and surgical procedures become less invasive and more refined, more and more men are seeking cosmetic work and aesthetic surgeries to increase their self-confidence.

Fat injections, also referred to as fat grafting, can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars, indentations, and laugh lines on your face. They can also combat sunken cheeks and provide volume to your face.

Many patients even choose fat injections to minimize hand wrinkles and cover up visible blood vessels, plump up the lips, and even combine fat injections with implants for the buttocks or breasts in order to fill in minor irregularities. Overall, fat injections can help your skin to look smoother and more youthful.

To perform a fat injection, fat is first extracted from other areas of your body, such as your buttocks or thighs. The fat cells are then sterilized and prepared for injection.

Fat Injections vs. Fillers

There are many brand name dermal fillers that seek to achieve the same thing as fat injections. There are pros and cons to using each. For example, fat injections take time to prepare when compared to dermal fillers, which are already packaged and ready to use. However, fat injections last longer and do not carry the risk of an allergic reaction to the substances used in fillers. The fat is taken from your own body, so it is not a foreign substance. It can even provide more natural results.

What to Expect

Fat injections are not for you if you have circulation problems. But if you are in good health and have a realistic expectation of the look you want and how it can be achieved, fat injections might a great choice.

You will notice immediate results following your injection. The area might be puffy at first, but this swelling will go down after a few days. You should avoid sun exposure while waiting for the swelling to dissipate. No downtime is needed following fat injections.

Seeing an experienced professional for fat injections makes all the difference. When injected properly, fat can establish a new blood supply so that it will stay. At this point, only touch-ups are needed. Seeing an inexperienced medical professional may result in the fat being reabsorbed in the body.

At Orange Valley’s Crown Valley Cosmetic Surgery Center, we offer our patients a chance to undergo all procedures right in our outpatient facility. There are several benefits to choosing an outpatient center for cosmetic procedures, including:

• More personalized care. Our surgeons do not need to maintain busy hospital rotations or tend to numerous patients at once. As a result, you receive a greater amount of attention and care. Our staff is easy to reach and access, especially if you have any questions leading up to or following your procedure.
• Specialized staff. Our staff is focused on a narrow range of procedures. Our Orange Valley surgeons, nurses, technical staff, anesthesiologists, and administrative staff are all trained and specifically experienced in the exact procedures you will be undergoing in our facility.
• Greater comfort. In addition to a quieter facility in comparison to a bustling hospital, we offer comfortable and specialized areas for waiting and for recovery. Since our procedures take only a few hours and require no overnight stay, choosing an outpatient center also means that you can spend your recovery time in the most comfortable place possible – your own home. You’ll be able to come back and see your surgeon regularly for any necessary follow-ups.
• Lower cost. Since there is no overnight stay necessary, the overall cost of your surgery will be less than one performed at a hospital. Since our facility has a specialized focus, we are able to keep our prices competitive.
• Ease of scheduling. Our Orange County outpatient facility eliminates the frustration of canceling or rescheduling that occurs with hospital emergencies. You’ll also find that it’s easier to meet with a surgeon for an initial consultation or follow-up visit.

Call or visit us today to find out how you can experience all the benefits of an outpatient center for cosmetic surgery right in Orange County.

The recent FDA approval of a new kind of silicone gel breast implant for breast augmentation procedures has everyone buzzing. The new Allergan form stable implants are made from a highly cohesive silicone gel that have been dubbed “gummy bear implants” due to their texture. What makes these gummy bear implants different from other silicone gel implant designs?
The Form Stable Difference

There are many benefits for surgeons and patients who use gummy bear implants. First, the highly cohesive silicone gel stays in place even if the implant shell is damaged or ruptured, preventing any leaks. Additionally, the feel of these implants is designed to be even closer to natural breast tissue. As for appearance, the nature of these implants makes them particularly suitable for reconstructive surgery, as the implants look very much like natural breasts even in women without much existing breast tissue.

On the downside, the firmness of the implants means that slightly larger incisions must be used. The implants are anatomically shaped, so any displacement or rotation that occurs after surgery may require a revision surgery to improve overall appearance.

These implants only recently received FDA approval, and as part of the approval, long-term studies will continue. However, current data show no higher risk when using form stable implants for breast augmentation as compared to other types of implants. It should also be mentioned that gummy bear implants have been in use in Europe and South America for quite some time already.
Choosing Your Implants

So, is this new implant option the right choice for you? It’s worth having a conversation with your plastic surgeon about all your implant options, including the new gummy bear implants, before making a decision. Ultimately, the results of your breast augmentation will depend a great deal on the skill of your surgeon in addition to your implant selection.