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You’ve decided to get serious about going ahead with your aesthetic procedure. great, but how will you pay for it? credit card? financing through a lender? a fat tax return? This issue’s special section explores a few options on how to pay for the best care, and what you can expect to get for your hard-earned money.

Making the Most of Your Tax Return

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It’s time to start planning for the ways you wish to spend your tax return dollars this tax season…a plan that makes sense for your lifestyle and your checkbook. Perhaps, a plan that will help you look and feel your best. If you are thinking about health and aesthetics, timing is crucial. The summer spotlight is just around the corner. If you are concerned about realistic financial commitments, a checklist of priorities might be in order.

$200 or LESS

Seek out an organic facial or microdermabrasion to rejuvenate and exfoliate your skin. For $20.00 to $30.00 more, a light chemical peel can help reduce the more advanced signs of facial aging. There are also many organic moisturizers and pore cleansers, if you are interested in tiny facial treats.

Join a fitness club or gym and add on a personal training session to help set goals. A consultation with a nutritionist can help complete general health goals, sports and exercise intentions, or specific medical condition objectives.

A healthy mouth means a healthy body. Visit your dentist for an annual checkup and cleaning. While there ask about a prescription teeth whitening solution or their guidance on an over the counter brand.

Do you need to relax a little….or a lot? Select from over 80 types of massage to help unwind. From acupressure and reflexology to Swedish massage and deep tissue massage, the ways to soothe the muscles, skin tissue layers, ligaments, tendons, joints, lymphatic system and organs are plentiful. Check into a Yoga or Tai Chi class for $10.00 to $30.00. One session can teach you ways to incorporate stimulating movement and deep breathing into your daily life.

$300 to $1,500

If you are interested in anti-aging for the face, routine chemical peels help to maintain the benefits of anti-aging treatments to fight the battle against dry, rough, discolored skin. You may wish to step up to advanced anti-aging skin therapies for more prominent aging signs through laser light therapy.

Injectibles, such as Botox and Dysport, and facial fillers, such as Restylane and Perlane temporarily smooth wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and between the brows. Restylane or Juvederm can be used for lip augmentation for the summer season and to relieve nose to mouth folds.

Tired of unwanted body or facial hair? Schedule an appointment for laser hair removal or electrolysis. More than one appointment may be needed, so go ahead and splurge for the whole package.

$1,500 to $3,000

Mini cosmetic procedures can postpone more invasive procedures in later years. See page XX for more in-depth details. There are mini face lifts for sagging facial skin and mini neck lifts for small turkey waddles. You would be surprised by the number of years taken from your face by choosing a mini procedure. Plus, a mini procedure can stall the need for a more invasive procedure in the years to come.

Alternatively, you may elect to use your return for a down payment on a more invasive plastic surgery procedure. Liposuction may be worthwhile to trim down body bulges and help you get that summer body ready. Body contouring to achieve the Brazilian buttocks may be a worthwhile investment for the coming bikini months, as well.

Eyelid surgery preserves youthfulness and brings out the eyes. Blepharoplasty is the surgical name for removing excess skin and/or fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Current procedures may not remove any fat, but reposition the fat or tighten the muscles surrounding the eye to give you a new outlook on life.

Male breast reduction also fits into this price range for self esteem leverage. Liposuction will be performed to remove fat cells and the physician may sculpt the breasts to improve positioning. Normal activities can be resumed usually within a week, dependant on the extent of the procedure.

$4,000 and UP

Any and all of the items listed above may be appealing, but there are additional ones. Breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction are popular choices in this price range. Liposuction for multiple treatment areas fit into this slot as well. The body lift, arm lift and thigh lift are excellent choices for excess saggy skin. And a tummy tuck is also timely to have performed now in order to have your beach body ready for this summer.

Combination procedures may also feel right for $4000.00 and up. If you feel that you are getting too “self focused” on expending your tax refund, consider patient financing which may offer better rates than credit cards and then share some of the cash with friends and family. Plan ahead. Consult with an aesthetic professional today to define your aesthetic goals and don’t forget to check in with Uncle Sam.

Paying for Perfection
An introduction to procedure financing

NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF AESTHETIC PROCEDURE INTERESTS YOU, there will come a moment when inevitably you must ask “How am I going to pay for this?” No surgery is cheap, and many people considering an aesthetic procedure experience sticker shock, on one level or another. The overall cost of a procedure can vary widely, depending on factors such as anesthesia required, length of stay at the hospital or care facility, and the amount covered by health insurance, if any. With the exception of a breast reduction, most cosmetic procedures are not covered by your health insurance because they are elective procedures. Your doctor’s office should be able to provide you with an estimate of these costs to assist you in planning for the procedure.

Credit Cards

There are many ways to approach financing your dream of a more perfect self. Credit cards may be the first option that comes to mind. This may be because they are right in your pocket; hassle free for moving forward with any aesthetic treatment you desire. Perhaps you used them previously to purchase an aesthetic procedure because of low interest rates which can make them an appealing option. Be careful of fluctuating interest rates, and if you decide to use a credit card, consider consulting a financial planner to discuss carrying the extra balance, and the effect it may have on your credit score.

Long-Term Patient Financing

Patient financing is available for most aesthetic procedures and the benefits are phenomenal. Like a credit card, you must be approved for patient financing. In terms of interest rates, many patient finance companies offer no interest, 90-day financing or low interest short and long term financing- a better option than what may be offered through traditional credit cards in many cases. The rates are often fixed and may not fluctuate over the finance term. Patient finance companies partner with aesthetic providers but also partner directly with patients interested in aesthetic procedures to provide a means for fulfilling their desires.

Whether you are interested in breast augmentation, liposuction, cosmetic dentistry or the body lift following massive weight loss, patient financing is a viable option for many patients today. The best part is that patient financing is safe. Patient finance providers that you learn about through cosmetic practitioners have been established and supported by banks with strong foundations, those that have passed a test of difficult economic times. More than likely, the cosmetic provider you choose has worked with patient finance companies for quite some time. Your plastic surgeon will be equipped to provide testimonials about patient finance services, just as they would testimonials from the procedure you’re researching. So, there should be no fear when seeking out patient finance companies. In fact, the approvals often only require a few minutes of time, so there’s no waiting period. You can usually have the procedure performed within 90 days of approval.

Patient financing may give you more of a jingle in your pocket than you thought this Spring season. The benefits are great. The risk is not a factor. The rewards can create an enhancement in your life for many years to follow. Now, it’s time to investigate. Consult with a cosmetic practitioner to find out more about patient financing today.

mini-style, big impact

Mini. Small. Tiny. Minute. Little. It does not matter how you say it, mini is not necessarily insignificant.

Mini can have a big impact. For example, did you know that if you have a mini facelift now (if you are a candidate for the procedure), you may not need a more invasive facelift in later years? But, be careful. You have heard the saying dynamite comes in small packages. Just because a procedure is a mini-form of a more invasive procedure does not necessarily mean that it is tried and true.

In the past decade, there have been hundreds of products and technological advances introduced to the aesthetic community and consumers interested in anti-aging. Some have withstood the test of time while others have been left by the wayside. These advances decrease discomfort, reduce down time, save money and meet consumer needs, and in today’s fast-paced world, mini cosmetic procedures might just be the new way to go.

There have been mini procedures that came into the market and quickly faded in a short period of time because of one reason or another, such as lack of FDA approval, high complication rates, and/or faulty equipment. For these reasons, it is advisable to research information about the procedure that interests you. It is also appropriate to inquire with a board certified physician in order to obtain more information about the procedure. The most important part to remember in cosmetic surgery is that your aesthetic professional combines artistic expertise and a scientific background to create a unique treatment plan for every individual. Let’s examine some of the common mini procedures that are now mainstream and learn ways to separate the bad from the good.

Once Fad, Now Mainstream

Skin

Microdermabrasion is one of the greatest mainstream aesthetic procedures performed in society today. The procedure may be performed over your lunch hour to remove dead skin cells and accelerate the skin exfoliation process. There is no down time associated with microdermabrasion and it’s inexpensive, making it worthwhile for almost anyone.

Chemical peels assist with removing sun damaged skin, fine lines, rough, dry and aging skin. Chemicals peels are offered in a variety of concentration levels; some of which may not fall into the mini-category because the recovery portion of treatment can make your face look red, unappealing and can be uncomfortable. However, light chemical peels, used for advanced facial skin exfoliation and skin renewal, are is very appealing from the mini prospective. Light chemical peels may produce some skin sensitivity yet they are not associated with down time and are just a few dollars more than a facial for a much bigger return. Both microdermabrasion and chemical peel treatments need to be continued over time to reap and maintain the benefits.

Facelift

There are a variety of techniques used during a mini facelift procedure. A mini facelift can be very appealing for early and mid-stage aging. This procedure has grown in popularity among the 35-plus age category because it is less invasive, helps to postpone more invasive facelift procedures and delays facial aging. The idea behind the mini facelift is to lift and tighten skin as well as underlying tissue to improve facial sagging and skin folds. There is not significant down time associated with this technique when compared to a traditional face lift (which may involve lifting underlying muscles). The procedure may also be a fraction of the cost of a traditional facelift. The results can be visible for up to 5 years time.

Necklift

The mini necklift works well for a small turkey waddle and excess neck skin. The procedure can be performed in a short period of time and has the same benefits and characteristics as the mini facelift. It is not associated with significant downtime. The costs are reasonable as well.

Body

For the body, there are several procedures that may fit into the mini-category.

The mini arm and thigh lift can improve saggy excess skin. In some cases, the arm lift and thigh lift may be considered mini when the person being treated does not have extensive excess skin that needs removed. In the arm lift procedure, an incision is made from the arm pit to the elbow on the underside of the arm or may be more limited, depending upon the extent of the treatment area. In the thigh lift procedure, the incision extends from the groin. When the scar is shorter than the traditional lift in an arm lift or thigh lift, it is considered a mini procedure.

Body Jet liposuction may fall into the mini category simply because there is less down time associated with the technique when compared to other methods. This procedure uses the flow of water to dislodge and remove fat clusters. The use of water results in less trauma to the treatment area. For these reasons, it is considered a minimally invasive procedure that can remove fat and smooth body contour irregularities.

There is also the mini tummy tuck that treats lax abdominal muscles below the navel. It is called mini because it is less invasive than the tummy tuck procedure but can provide a benefit for the right candidates. It is the muscles below that navel that are typically the most lax following pregnancy. This procedure allows for the smoothed appearance of the abdomen.

Before your mini-style

Since there are many techniques and products available in the consumer market, it is wise to ask your plastic surgeon the following questions before undergoing the procedure to identify red flags.

Ask the physician when the technology was originally manufactured and how long it has been used in the market.
Ask if the physician received training to use the technology from the manufacturer and/or through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Ask how many times the physician has performed the procedure.
Ask to see before & after photos and request to speak with an actual patient who had the procedure performed.

Low cost, visible improvement and reduced downtime are a few of the reasons why mini procedures are some of the most commonly requested procedures today. Plastic surgeons find satisfaction in being able to offer tried and true mini techniques. And, you will enjoy the benefits of younger, more rejuvenated enhancement with these mini procedures.

As always, talk about your goals and expectations with your plastic surgeon. He or she will guide you to the right procedure to help you meet those goals.

Real World Liposuction
Exploring the medicine behind the magic: what you need to know about one of the world’s most popular procedures

When it comes to improving your body, plastic surgeons may be considered the great wizards of this century, waving their magic wands over patients to transform bodies through the body lift and body contouring procedures, both of which may involve liposuction. Yes, the cute buttocks, the slimmed down bodily appearance and enhanced breasts are very appealing to some whose fat is resistant to exercise and diet. In fact, the adventure for people interested in liposuction is often short and the benefits usually equate to more than an improved appearance. People who have undergone liposuction for the purpose of an improved appearance often remark that liposuction enhances their self esteem, intimacy, social activities, and professional life. So, not only can liposuction permanently remove targeted fat cells, it can also permanently boost your self-confidence.

Keep in mind that when we say permanent, we are assuming that you will take great care to keep your new body in tip-top shape. Diet and exercise play a very important role in keeping your post-surgery body intact. A pregnancy or health related issue that causes you to gain weight will affect the new shape you have been granted. You should wait until after you are done having children to proceed with a liposuction procedure. And, if you have battled with weight gain your whole life, talk with your physician about ways to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Once you have the initial consultation with your plastic surgeon, he/she will help you decide what results you are expecting to achieve. You may only need one area treated, or perhaps a couple to keep all body parts in proportion to each other. The list of treatment areas is just as long as the rewards, including: the abdomen, back, hips, buttocks, thighs, arms, and select areas of the face and neck. Recovery time is usually not a factor and the risks are low in the right hands.

The idea behind liposuction is to surgically remove fat, which may also be termed lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy, ultrasound-assisted liposuction or lipoplasty, laser-assisted liposuction or lipoplasty and power-assisted liposuction or lipoplasty. There are numerous types of classifications for liposuction. Every plastic surgeon may have a preference for one type of liposuction or another, just as every patient may have a need for one type or another. By the same token, the tried and true technologies work for most everyone.

The traditional “dry” method involves inserting a small cannula (a long, thin tube) under the skin so that the cannula may be moved around to break up the fat layer. The cannula is capable of suctioning up the destroyed fat cells. This method is seldom used because of the blood loss and bruising that can occur. Although, in the hands of a well-trained wizard, this method may work best for doctor and patient. Here’s a quick rundown of the FDA approved liposuction methods for removing fat cells that have been injected with an assisting solution for easy removal:

Super Wet: This procedure involves the injection of fluid in an equal amount to that of the fat to be removed.
Tumescent: During a tumescent procedure the doctor injects much more fluid than used in other techniques to provide greater aid for fat removal.
Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic lipo involves the use of an ultrasonic cannula, capable of emitting ultrasonic waves to help break apart the fat cells.
Body Jet: The cannula features a gentle pulsating jet of water that loosens fat cells from connective tissue. The injection to break up fat cells and suction them is performed simultaneously.

Adding to the mystique of plastic surgery, lately we have been hearing more about the liposuction procedures that have not passed FDA approval and/or the test of time, including: carboxytherapy, lipodissolve and astragalus.

Carboxytherapy uses carbon dioxide gas as a substitute to the traditional injection that is used to interact with fat cells in the body. The goal of carboxytherapy is to remove fat and improve cellulite. Cellulite is one area that traditional liposuction may not treat successfully. The FDA has not approved carboxytherapy in the U.S. because the treatment has significant risks associated with it; therefore it has not been proven to be safe and effective.
Lipodissolve has been used in Europe for many years as an alternative to liposuction. However, the ingredients used have not been cohesively identified at this time. For this reason, the FDA has not approved lipodissolve. In fact, lipodissolve was banned in the state of Kansas following reports of adverse effects that people had experienced following treatment. Recently, time has been dedicated in the U.S. to identify the mechanisms of action in lipodissolve as well as the safety and efficacy for the permanent removal of fat and improvement of cellulite.
Astragalus, also known as Milk Vetch or Huang Chi, has been used in Asia for thousands of years. The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine warns about the use of astragalus partly because this herb may contain a number of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Active pharmaceutical agents must be investigated and approved by the FDA prior to sale in the U.S. This is because active pharmaceutical agents may adversely affect biological and chemical processes in bodily systems and may be unsafe. Pharmaceutical agents may also interact with other drugs you are taking or may place you at risk for medical conditions.

It is for the reasons cited about carboxytherapy, lipodissolve and astragalus that is it wise to stay focused on the tried and true methods for liposuction. The FDA’s approval for liposuction alternatives is critical. The FDA requires clinical trial data to support the safety and effectiveness of technology and procedures. The clinical trial, involving a number of voluntary participants who undergo the treatment, may be conducted by the manufacturer of the product or an independent party. The results of the study and supporting research documentation are provided to the FDA for their review during the approval process.

Unlike a magician, plastic surgeons do not use magic to perform liposuction. They focus on education, training, and experience in performing the tried and true techniques before embarking on journeys that may potentially put people at risk of injury. Their goal is to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will serve all your needs. They may even have more ideas for you to improve fat related issues like irregular body contours and cellulite. Your surgeon will definitely be interested in helping you achieve your goals through liposuction. With so many credible forms of liposuction available, it is wise to select the tried and true options. The best part is you can achieve goals for trimming down, reduce your downtime and be rewarded with benefits to come, just in time for May flowers.

The Road to Recovery
Life after Breast Augmentation

Are you interested in increasing your breast size, but frightened of the pain and recovery process? Well, we have consulted with our board to bring you the most frequently asked questions women are asking about the recovery process. Take a look....and email us at info@RadiantLifeMagazine.com if you have a specific question you would like answered. We’ll try to include it in one of our next issues.

In the past, the recovery from breast augmentation may have involved a two week, painstaking process. Today, due to major advancements in medicine to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with breast augmentation, the recovery may be two to seven days. If you are considering breast augmentation, you will want to be fully informed about the recovery process. So, let’s take a glance at some of the most frequently asked questions.

How Much Pain Will I Experience?

The extent of discomfort varies among individuals. However, plastic surgeons take steps to avoid discomfort following breast augmentation. For example, a blunt technique was used to perform the breast augmentation procedure in the past. Now, delicate techniques are used in breast surgery to reduce pain that women may experience following the procedure. Improved instruments allow for greater precision during surgery when dissecting the breast pocket where the implant will be placed. Since less breast tissue is disrupted patients experience less pain.

The bloodless approach used in surgery today has reduced the need for drains following surgery by 95%. The bloodless approach also reduces the risk of bruising, inflammation and infection- in essence, less pain. While the surgery is not technically “bloodless”, what the bloodless approach does mean is that the great majority of patients have minimal bleeding with no bruising on the breast. The bloodless technique requires a bit more time and surgical skill. With this comes paying more attention to where the nerves and blood vessels are, so more care is taken in handling the tissues. Thus, this combination of techniques results in less bruising, inflammation, and lower chances of infection and less pain.

What Type of Pain Medication WillI Be Prescribed?

There are a variety of pain medications to choose from today that will keep you focused on the positive effects, instead of a painful aftermath. During surgery, sedation agents gradually deliver anti-pain medication to the body aiding in less post-operative pain. Marcaine may be placed in the breast pocket cavity during surgery to lessen post-operative pain, while steroids may also be placed in the breast pocket to reduce the risk of muscle spasm, inflammation and consequential pain. Pain pumps deliver pain medication post operatively. Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed following surgery to prevent swelling and any resulting pain.

How Can I Manage Nausea and Vomiting?

Plastic surgeons help their patients’ reduce nausea and vomiting by keeping them hydrated during surgery. The use of the bloodless approach to surgery helps to reduce nausea and vomiting as well. Following surgery, plastic surgeons may prescribe Benadryl, Phenergan, Scopolomine, Zofran, Decadron, or Emend to further reduce nausea.

What Can I Do To Reduce Scarring?

Surgeons use advanced techniques to help limit scarring, but any time you have an incision you risk a permanent mark. Since inflammation increases the risk of excess scar formation, the anti-inflammatory medication given during surgery for pain will also help reduce swelling and the risk of excessive scar formation. In addition, plastic surgeons advise women to wear steri-strips on the incisions for up to eight weeks after the procedure. Toward the end of the scar maturation process, plastic surgeons advise the use of scar guards and sheets for those who are prone to excessive scarring. Scar massage is another technique for improving the appearance of scars. Some women opt for permanent make up and tattooing to help camouflage any residual marking. However, scarring is not usually a problem for most women who have breast augmentation. It’s important to note that the scar maturation process varies. The maximum wound healing strength is attained at approximately sixty days. Scar maturation is dependent on the orientation of the scars and the tension placed on the scar. Some wounds will fully mature within six months. Others may require a few years to fully mature.

How Can I Reduce the Risk of Complications?

As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications. Here’s the most important piece of advice: DISCLOSE EVERYTHING TO YOUR SURGEON. Disclose all medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements that you are taking. In turn, your plastic surgeon can take precautions to reduce the risk of complications based on your lifestyle. If you are a smoker, be aware that some surgeons will not perform the procedure unless you have stopped smoking weeks before the surgery or quit completely.

Complication risks have also been reduced due to a variety of other reasons. Today, the procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or light sedation techniques which pose less risk than general anesthesia with muscle relaxing agents. Today’s breast implants have been improved to reduce the risk of capsular contracture (squeezing of the breast implant). The bloodless approach has reduced the risk of infection. Fiber optic retractors used in surgery have improved visualization during the surgery and lower the risk of hematoma (blood clot) formation.

The advantage in breast augmentation today is that the procedure is far less discomforting in every way. This allows women to return to work and normal activities very quickly when compared to former years. So, the time to enjoy the benefits arrives quicker. The beauty in appearance, the boost in self confidence, and the enhancement in self image can all be realized in a week’s time for most women today.