Social media websites, the news, and the beauty industry have all shown signs that a curvy figure is in vogue again. Cosmetic surgeons, noticing this evolution in beauty perception, have developed procedures to meet the desires of patients who want a more voluptuous figure.

RealSelf.com, a website where patients and surgeons share information about cosmetic procedures, found that searches related to butt augmentation rose dramatically in 2011 – increasing 39 percent. They say it’s the “fastest moving topic on the site in terms of overall consumer interest.”

With the rise of procedures like the Brazilian butt lift, in which a patient’s own fat is transferred to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks, women are looking to enhance other areas as well.

Is Thigh Augmentation the Next Trend for Curves?

A recent study in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery explored thigh augmentation, a procedure that uses a custom implant. “Breasts are getting bigger, buttocks are getting fuller, and there is increasing demand for a fuller, more curvaceous look to the thighs,” report the authors.

During their study, 18 women received the implants to achieve a fuller appearance in the thighs. The procedure involves surgical insertion of a custom-made lateral thigh prosthesis, which enhances the curves of the lateral thigh area.

The authors reported high patient satisfaction. There were no major complications associated with the procedure during the study, and they found that implants helped women achieve a fuller look in the thigh.

Realistically, there are probably more women looking for less volume on their thighs. For them, a thigh lift might be the right procedure. A thigh lift reshapes the contour of the inner and outer thighs by removing excess skin. In some cases, a limited amount of fat is removed with liposuction.

Traditional Procedures for Enhancing Curves

Some of the most popular procedures have always been about enhancing a patient’s curves and contours. For example, many women who are dissatisfied with the size, shape and fullness of their breasts often turn to breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants.

Other curve-enhancing procedures include buttock augmentation with implants, calf augmentation and pectoral augmentation.

Anyone who has had a Botox treatment in the last year or two knows that since competitive products like Dysport and the new Xeomin entered the market, all three companies have been offering rebates and freebies to keep your business, and making the discounts even sweeter in recent months.

It’s about time!

Based on overwhelming feedback from their customers and patients, Allergan recently announced they would simplify Brilliant Distinctions, their customer rewards program.

Nobody liked filling out all that paperwork and it really made life difficult in busy cosmetic offices, so now your rebates are instantly awarded, no more mailing! Reward points are emailed to you immediately after you have a treatment.

For all of the Allergan products you purchase, here are the reward values:

• $25 reward for each Botox treatment
• $25 reward for each syringe of Juvederm
• $12.50 for every Latisse kit purchased.

The best part: These dollar values can be used as cash toward any future treatment, even with rebates and special treatment offers from the Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery.

Another great deal running right now scores you FREE Botox or Latisse when you choose Allergan’s Natrelle implants for breast augmentation surgery.

For more information or for a free consultation, contact us online or call (425) 775-3561. Located near Alderwood Mall, the Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is convenient to North Seattle, Edmonds, Shoreline, Everett, Mill Creek, and Lynnwood, Washington.

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Craig R. Jonov, MD, DMD, of The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery in Seattle has been chosen by Bioform Medical, makers of Radiesse™, to teach injection techniques of this product to plastic and cosmetic physicians and surgeons throughout the western United States.

Dr. Jonov has over a decade’s experience in Botox™ and facial filler injections. He employs an intra-oral technique which significantly reduces potential swelling and bruising, increases patient comfort, and leaves no injection marks. Radiesse™ is a synthetic compound comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a natural component of bone. Radiesse™ has been approved by the FDA for maxillofacial defects.

It is also an excellent product for smoothing deep facial creases, wrinkles and depressions such as nasolabial folds, corners of the mouth and “lipstick lines,” as well as enhancing contours of the cheek, jaw line, chin and nose. In these soft tissues, the effect generally lasts 12-18 months. The results may be seen immediately.

Study shows best long-term results in patients under age 50.

People with early signs of aging can achieve good results and high satisfaction 10 years or more after their face lift, according to a new study in the latest issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

A previous study found that older patients were more likely to have lower satisfaction scores, with varying facelift results. This new study by Doctors Liu and Owsley (at California Pacific Medical Center) involved comparisons of long-term and short-term patient satisfaction scores, combined with analysis of long-term results using photo analysis.

Three age groups were selected: younger than 50, 50 to 60, and over age 60.

“Remarkable Maintenance of Youthful Appearance”

Patients who had a facelift before age 50 showed “remarkable maintenance of their youthful appearance,” according to the authors.

At both short and long-term follow-up, younger patients reported higher satisfaction scores. Their scores were further supported by photo analysis.

The study results support the idea of performing “maintenance” facelifts for patients who don’t have significant signs of aging. “Younger patients who have facelifts (<50 years old) have longest lasting results with less noticeable postoperative changes,” Drs. Liu and Owsley say. Because at 50, the visible signs of aging represent “the tip of the iceberg” in relation to changes beneath the skin that come later.

Many patients in this age group are likely to treat facial wrinkles and other localized signs using injectables. For a long-lasting result, it may be a better idea to undergo a face lift.

Compared to a facelift at age 60 or older, the surgery results will also be more subtle, so patients can be modest about having cosmetic surgery.

Read more on plasticsurgery.org

Welcome to the new blog for the Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery in Seattle. Stay tuned…..

We’ll be posting about:

• Cosmetic surgery in the media
• Clinical research about plastic surgery
• Local events and specials from our practice
• Videos
• More….