(HealthNewsDigest.com) 
Cardinal Health, a global provider of products and services that improve the safety and productivity of health care, today announced Presource® Standard Cosmetic-Surgery Packs – prepackaged kits that provide the core surgical components needed for common cosmetic surgery procedures.

The new procedure packs are available for liposuction, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facial rhytidectomy, breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift. Consumer demand for these procedures is growing at a rate of 12 percent annually, with Americans spending approximately $12.4 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2006.

“As the demand for cosmetic surgery procedures continues to grow, health-care providers must be focused on improving the quality and safety of patient care, while also improving the efficiency with which that care is delivered,� said Steve Inacker, president and general manager of Cardinal Health’s Presource® Products and Services business

Lipostabil, also known as the Flab Jab, is currently yet to receive a licence for cosmetic purposes in the UK due to a lack of clinical testing and concerns over its safety.

Lipostabil is licensed in Germany as a treatment for fat embolisms, where blood vessels become blocked by fat particles. However, it has been discovered that when injected directly into problem areas, such as a double chin or fat behind the knees, fat can be broken down and lost in those specific places.

 The treatment has even been demonstrated live on television on Channel 4’s Richard and Judy show. A guest was given two injections of Lipostabil two months apart and showed a marked improvement.

 However, the Flab Jab has already been banned in Brazil, the country where its usage as a cosmetic treatment was pioneered, due to links to skin infection and nerve damage.

In fact, Lipostabil’s manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis has warned that the drug is not designed to be administered subcutaneously, under the skin, and is not safe to be used for cosmetic purposes.

The Medical Defence Union and the Medical Practitioners Society, the UK’s two main medical insurers are currently refusing insurance to any doctors who continue to supply the treatment. Also, the MHRA, Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority, who license drugs in the UK, have contacted over fifty clinics to order them not to advertise the treatment and doctors who don’t comply could face unlimited fines and potentially prison sentences. So it may be some time if ever that Lipostabil is offered in the UK as a fat loss solution.

By Lesley Thomas DAILY TELEGRAPH
9:14am BST 01/08/2007
 
Frank Sinatra advised in the song Wives and Lovers: “Don’t send him off, with your hair still in curlers. You may not see him again.”

However, it seems that British women couldn’t care less after a survey showed they are the least likely to put effort into their appearance for the sake of men.

They have the lowest levels of concern in the world for what husbands, boyfriends and other male observers might think, with only 51 per cent caring whether men liked their appearance, the study said.

Japanese women were second bottom with 53 per cent followed by Americans at 56 per cent.

advertisementIndian, Spanish and Korean women were far more worried about having a man’s seal of approval, but it was Russia which topped the poll of 10,000 women, with 77 per cent saying that they cared what their men thought.

Janet Saunders, of Clinique, the cosmetics company which commissioned the study, said: “British women like to feel confident and beautiful for their own pleasure and take pride in their outward appearance.” Susan Quilliam, a relationship psychologist said: “It’s a delicate balance. It’s a positive thing in an equal relationship to reference the other person’s tastes and preferences sometimes.”

The survey also showed that Britons are among the keenest on cosmetic surgery. Thirty five per cent of British women said they have gone, or are willing to go, under the knife for beauty.

Only Korean women were more likely to consider surgical enhancement, while just three per cent of Indian women condone it.

The survey also asked which of the 12 countries polled had the most beautiful women. Although most found their country’s own women the best looking, Britons rated Italian and Indian women more beautiful than themselves.
 

July 24, 2007 WISTV
NATIONAL – Flat abs are often considered a sign of youth, and last year, almost two hundred thousand people had tummy tucks in the United States alone.

But it might not be too late to bring back a more youthful tummy without major surgery.

Nancy Bunt is a vivacious 40-something who wishes her abs matched her youthful outlook.

“To wear something more fitted, I just wasn’t, I wasn’t comfortable. So I decided to do something about it,” said Bunt.

She’s enlisted reconstructive surgeon Gerald H. Pitman to revive her abs using a procedure called lower abdominoplasty, or a mini tummy tuck.

Dr. Pitman says, “Only the skin and the attached fat are removed, there’s no muscle tightening. It’s much less painful. It can be done under a local anesthesia and the recovery is five days.”

This procedure focuses only on stretched-out skin in the lower abdomen, closer to the bikini line.

“It’s just simply a removal of this area of skin and fat, and then the skin from here is brought to there and you have a single line closure,” said Dr. Pitman.

Liposuction also figures into this tummy trimming equation.

Dr Pitman says “99 percent of women who have this operation also have liposuction, usually to remove fat from the upper tummy and to remove fat from around the waist and give them a better waistline.”

And while this is less extensive than a full abdominoplasty, the mini tummy tuck packs a punch.

“The operation rejuvenates the abdomen, it ‘youthifies’ it, so indeed you end up with a more youthful abdomen,” Dr. pitman said.

Nancy’s ready to see the results in her mirror.

Dr. Pitman says exercise is an important aspect of keeping a trim physique, but it can’t un-sag stretched-out skin.

That’s where a procedure like the mini tummy tuck fits in.
From  http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6832705

Whether a person loses weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric surgery, there are a few problems that arise as a result of the weight loss. One that will be most noticeable is the loose skin that remains after the weight is gone. When someone is overweight, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of weight. After weight loss, the skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags. In many cases, it hangs (especially in the arms, stomach, thighs, breasts, and buttocks). It acts as a constant reminder of the weight you once carried around. Exercise WILL NOT tighten skin (exercise never tightens skin – only muscles). The only way to tighten loose skin is through cosmetic plastic surgery.

Bariatric patients desiring such reshaping after surgery should use a specialist with experience dealing with this type of situation. A variety of surgical procedures are often necessary and performed at different times. Depending on which area bothers you the most, the surgery can be tailored to fit your needs, starting with the area of greatest concern. Often an abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is done first, though a circumferential lower body lift may be needed instead. Breast lifting surgery, arm lifts, face lifts and neck lifts are all additional procedures that can be done at separate times. A body lift is the combination of tummy tuck and a lower body lift (inner thigh lift, and outer thigh/buttock lift).

NB. All COSMETIC BLISS Weight Loss Patients are Entitled to a 10% Discount on future Cosmetic Surgery Procedures.  These include: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Breast Uplift, Breast Reduction, Arm Lift, Thigh Lift, Facelift Chin & Neck Surgery etc.

Extract from: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 118(1):207-212, July 2006.
Stevens, W Grant M.D.; Cohen, Robert M.D.; Vath, Steven D. M.D.; Stoker, David A. M.D.; Hirsch, Elliot M. B.A.
Abstract:
Background: This study was designed to evaluate and compare the complication rates of patients having abdominoplasty without breast surgery with the rates of those having abdominoplasty with various types of elective breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy, and mastopexy combined with simultaneous augmentation.
…………
Conclusion: The results of this retrospective review indicate that combining elective breast surgery with abdominoplasty does not appear to significantly increase the number of major or minor complications.
Full abstract can be read at
http://www.plasreconsurg.com/pt/re/prs/abstract.00006534-200607000-00035.htm;jsessionid=GqDBSB9hyv5rqnddYNLVw2y78BT0H61GBrZ6yd5RTjcmp2zFpnJz!1683421839!181195628!8091!-1
 

Story c/o The Daily Mail

The number of middle-aged men going under the knife in the name of beauty has risen by more than 140 per cent in just five years as they struggle to come to terms with “menopaunch”, reveals a new report.

Men aged over 50 are forking out as much as £3,700 and taking weeks off work to undergo liposuction and other procedures such as eye bag removal (blepharoplasty) in a bid to remove stubborn fat, according to a cosmetic surgery company.

Figures produced by The Harley Medical Group show that liposuction – including work done on the abdomen, flanks, chest and chin areas – accounted for 24 per cent of surgical procedures for 50-something men.

This was followed by blepharoplasty (21%), face lifts (14%), rhinoplasty (11%), tummy tucks (8%), neck lifts (7%), brow lifts (5%), chin implants (3%), otoplasty (2%), chin implants (3%) and otoplasty (2%).

Director of The Harley Medical Group, Liz Dale, said: “The idea of men letting themselves go with increased age is no longer accurate.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of 50-something male patients coming into our clinics. Liposuction is the most popular procedure, accounting for 24 per cent of procedures amongst this group.

“Amount of fat removed can range from 50mls to three litres, or the equivalent of more than six pints.”

Surgeon Patrick Whitfield added: “Males account for a quarter of blepharoplasty procedures at The Harvey Medical Group with 60 per cent of those from the over-50s age group. In many cases, saggy skin around the eye area can add a decade onto a man.

“It’s extremely rewarding seeing a rather conservative 50s-something man, who will have often had his procedure done secretly whilst “on vacation”, bound out of the clinic after his sex-week post-operative check up with a new spring in his step and a glint in his eye.”

However, she stressed that liposuction should only be done for “stubborn fat” and was “not a quick cure for weight gain”.

She added: “Before accepting a patient for treatment, our surgeons will want to be sure that the patient has a healthy lifestyle and is fit for surgery.

“Surgeons will also want to be sure that the patient has taken measures to reduce his weight through fitness and a good, healthy balanced diet.

“Obese patients would most certainly not be operated on.”

23rd July 2007
 

NHS doctors are increasingly under pressure to perform cosmetic surgery for women unhappy with their looks.

New research reveals that surgeons are being cajoled into offering patients thousands of pounds worth of treatment they do not need. It exposes the lengths to which some women go to persuade surgeons to operate on them for nothing – using ploys such as unflattering make-up and clothing.

The study, to be published in the British Journal of Plastic Surgery, finds that surgeons are turning a blind eye to health authority guidelines, justifying the use of treatments only in ” justified cases” because of pressure from patients.

The research team, led by Professor Peter Salmon of the University of Liverpool, found that some surgeons agreed to operate – despite knowing there were no medical grounds – because they could not face the time and misery involved in turning patients down.

The report describes a case in which a 37-year-old woman who demanded breast implants was referred to a psychologist and a psychiatrist, who both concluded she did not need them. Despite this, the surgeon went ahead. Another 27-year-old woman who demanded breast enhancement became so distressed when told a psychologist thought it was inappropriate that the surgeon caved in.

The Department of Health says it is up to health authorities to enforce their own guidelines to prevent overspends.

The top 10 most requested cosmetic surgical procedures on the NHS are
1: Tummy tucks
2: Mole removal
3: Breast enhancement
4: Scar removal
5: Nose job
6: Breast reduction
7: Acne scar removal
8: Correcting breast asymmetry
9: Ear pinned back
10: Removal of bags under eyes

The report states: “Surgeons described feeling pressurised by some patients’ emotional and insistent presentations, and believed some patients contrived their presentation in the attempt to elicit a surgical decision.”

Date Released: 06/18/2007    

MyCosmeticSurgeryBlog.com, an authoritative, informative and open forum for those looking for frank, straightforward answers on the risks and benefits of cosmetic plastic surgery is now available to everyone

NewImage.com, the ultimate online destination for personal image enhancement solutions, launches MyCosmeticSurgeryBlog.com in a joint effort with cosmetic surgery and patient education advocate, Marianne Guarena. Reliable information, emotional support, commitment, and education are the “invisible� arms that prepare consumers for a successful “aesthetic journey.� Undergoing cosmetic surgery is not a decision that people take lightly. Various reasons go into the consideration of any cosmetic or elective surgery, and the process is one that isn’t necessarily consumer-friendly. MyCosmeticSurgeryBlog.com is here to provide consumer-friendly, informative and emotional support within a forum that will open the lines of communication with the public through real-life experience, honest answers, and advice.
“Having plastic surgery is exciting, scary, and fulfilling all at the same time. It not only can change how other people see you … but how you see yourself—inside and out,� says Marianne Guarena. Cosmetic surgery information is available through many sources, but finding someone with the personal experience and honesty to be frank about the experience, including its risks and benefits, is very difficult to find. By sharing her plastic surgery before-and-after experiences, the medical knowledge she gained, her passion about plastic surgery, and the latest cosmetic surgery procedures and news, Marianne is looking forward to providing those interested with friendly and emotional support and honest advice throughout the entire “aesthetic journey.�
The goal of MyCosmeticSurgeryBlog.com is for everyone to walk away as informed as they can be, and to get an honest idea of what may be in store for them should they choose to undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. It’s like getting advice from a knowledgeable friend……………………………………………….. Read more at:
http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com/pressrelease.cfm?PRID=11806

RTE  Entertainment  26 June 2007-07-02

TV presenter Louis Theroux has undergone liposuction while making a documentary about plastic surgery.                                                         Theroux spent £2,500 of his own money on the procedure after a surgeon advised him to get rid of his “love handles”          The results will be seen in his BBC2 programme ‘Louis Theroux: Under The Knife,’ to be broadcast in the autumn.                                                           The 37-year-old presenter is best known for his quirky films about celebrities including Jimmy Savile, Paul Daniels and Neil and Christine Hamilton.
Theroux said: “I started this film with an open mind about experiencing the world of plastic surgery at first hand.
“To begin with, I’d thought I might get something minor like botox injections in my forehead but some of the surgeons I met suggested I needed a nose job, and others said I’d benefit from a brow lift. I wasn’t keen as I’ve got rather used to the way my face looks.
“A leading surgeon then told me I’d be a good candidate for lipo on my stomach and love handles.”
He said: “I decided that, with lipo, the worst that can happen, apart from the usual risks involved in surgery, is you get some lumps under your skin. I felt it a risk worth taking as I really wanted to understand how this kind of surgery can make you feel afterwards, if I’d feel like a new and improved man.”