Cosmetic Surgery - To Tell or Not to Tell

Frequently patients will ask me, “Dr. Brueck, when can I go out in public and be presentable?”

I guess only you can answer that.

It depends on whether you want anyone to know if your lack of apparent aging is due to the crafty art and skill of your plastic surgeon or the fact that you are blessed with “good genes.”

But when apparent lack of aging is due to non-surgical procedures most Americans are willing to offer a confession. A recent survey from the Aesthetic Surgery Education Research Foundation (ASERF) found that nearly 9 out of 10 or 87% of respondents openly discussed their use of Botox and dermal fillers. These non-surgical treatments are now mainstream.

Just who are these women who openly confess their use of Botox and fillers?

They usually are married, working mothers, age 41-55, with a household income under $100,000. These women are health conscious and philanthropic in their views and many volunteer for charitable organizations. The reason for doing this is “to look more relaxed, less stressed-out”.

So there you have it. A new interactive conversation, open, honest, and why not?

Now comes another dermal filler - news from Dr. Brueck, Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Just when you thought things were simple, a NEW dermal filler has recently received FDA approval. The name is EVOLENCE.

WOW! They just keep comin' and comin' don't they?

What's special about EVOLENCE?

This filler is designed to replace lost collagen (yes, that's part of aging!) with a long lasting natural source of porcine collagen.

It does not require skin testing. It supposedly will give you immediate results with minimal swelling or bruising.

Because of a special cross-linking between collagen molecules, it purports to last longer. It has a duration of 12 months. It was approved for use in Europe several months ago.

Dermal fillers really came on the scene in 1981 - believe it or not. It has been that long, with the advent of ZydermI, Zyderm II and Zyplast. Attempts to fill soft tissue defects are NOT of recent vintage. Believe it or not, they date all the way back to 1883 when a Dr. Neuber used fat to reconstruct tuberculosic scars. Things have changed. But who would have thought these procedures have been in use for so long?

This update is brought to you by Dr. Robert J. Brueck, Board Certified Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeon practicing in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, who offers more information about cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures at http://www.BeautybyBrueck.com

Cosmetic Surgery Grows in Popularity

So, what’s hot in cosmetic surgery now?

A pleasant surprise is the resurgence in the number of people wanting face lifts. The number of face lifts done in 2007 was 14% more than the number performed in 2006. This may reflect the fact that fillers and botulinum (or botox) can only do so much to rejuvenate one’s face. If there is redundant skin then only a face lift will provide a solution.

Breast augmentation numbers showed and increase of 6% more than the number done in 2006.

Breast reductions increased 2%, while gynecomastion (male breast surgery) operations increased 7%.

Overall there were 12 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2007 a 7% increase over 2006.

The following were the top five surgical procedures:

1. Breast augmentation (348,000 - up 6%)

2. Liposuction (302,000 - unchanged)

3. Rhinoplasty (285,000 - down 7%)

4. Blephoroplasty eyelids (241,000 - up 3%)

5. Abdominoplasty (148,000 - up 1%)

Non-invasive, non-surgical procedures continue their high demand. There were nearly 10 million minimally invasive procedures performed.

1. Botox (4.6 million - up 13%)

2. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (1.1 million - up 35%)

3. Chemical Peels (1 million - down 4%)

4. Laser Hair Removal (906,000 - up 2%)

5. Microdermabrasion (897,000 - up 10%)

There you have it! The battle to turn back the hands of time continues.

If you're thinking of fighting your own "battle", contact me about procedures and financing we have available to help you have a good (looking) summer.

If you've had a cosmetic procedure...

...you were in good company, as these just-released 2007 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery demonstrate:

In 2007, there were 11.7 million surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in the U.S.

18% were surgical

82% were non-surgical

From 2006-2007, cosmetic surgical procedures increased 8%, non-surgical procedures increased 1%.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgical Procedures:

1) Liposuction- 456,828

2) Breast Augmentation-399,440

3) Eyelid Surgery-240,763

4) Abdominoplasty-185,335

5) Breast Reduction-153,087

Top Five Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures:

1) Botox - 2,775,176;

2) Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Juavaderm) - 1,448,716

3) Laser Hair Removal - 1,412,657

4) Microdermabrasion - 829,658

5) IPL Laser - 647,707

Women had 91% of cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic Procedures by Age Group:

35-50 - 46%

19-34 – 21%

51-64 – 25%

65> - 6%

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Americans spent just under $13.2 billion on cosmetic procedures.

Of course, these are national numbers. Statistics for the local Charlotte County, Fort Myers, Bonita, Naples, Marco Island area will be proportionally smaller. Nevertheless, it appears that large numbers of your neighbors and friends are taking advantage of the rejuvenating possibilities with cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures.

As always, however, anyone you know - including yourself - should never undergo a cosmetic procedure without a thorough consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Why Plastic Surgery Board Certification? Because many doctors receive Board Certification in other specialties. While they may perform plastic surgery procedures, they do not have the specialized training that comes with Board Certification in the specialty of Plastic Surgery.

There are several Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Southwest Florida. I encourage you to consult with one of them before going forward with any procedure. I offer a complimentary, no charge, no obligation consultation to any patient considering my practice for a cosmetic procedure.

You can visit my website, Beauty-by-Brueck, for more information and use the secure, confidential "Ask the Doctor" form to ask a specific question, or call my office at 239-939-5233 to arrange an appointment. Ask for Dr. Brueck or my aesthetic assistant, Judy.

Thank you.

Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS