Welcome to APRSSA
The Association represents over 98% of registered plastic surgeons in South Africa, all of whom are highly skilled and qualified. To ensure that you receive the best possible care, use the site to search for a surgeon of your choice.
This site will enable you to find a Plastic Surgeon in SA, as well as provide you with important information if you intend visiting South Africa for the purpose of under going cosmetic surgery.
If you require any information regarding Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery visit the site http://www.plasticsurgeons.co.za/
The Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa was formed in 1956 and currently has over 120 members.
The mission of the Association is to support its members in their efforts to provide the highest quality patient care and attain and maintain professional and ethical standards.
APRSSA contact number:
043 7263728
This number is operational from 10-00 to 14-00 during the week.
Surgical Escapes supports surgeons registered with APRSSA. Surgical Escapes can make all the required arrangements for all your medical travel needs to SA. Contact us: www.surgicalescapes.com
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Chinese cosmetic surgery boom
A growing number of Chinese are spending their holidays going under the knife for cosmetic surgery, looking for an edge in an ever-tighter job market, state media reported.
For some, this is the only free time they have to squeeze in a trip to the clinic while for others, the holiday allows time for bruises to heal and the bandages to come off without anyone catching on, the China Daily said.
"The seven-day holiday is the best opportunity for me to do it and recover, which will make me more beautiful and therefore boost my confidence at work and in my life," said Zhang Lin, a 25-year-old Beijing white-collar worker.
Cosmetic surgery is immensely popular in China with about one million operations performed every year.
Facial surgery most popular
The most popular treatments include minor adjustments to the face, such as nasal enlargement and "double-eyelid" surgery, which adds a fold over the eyes to make them look bigger or more "western."
"We always receive a surging number of customers around the holiday," Cui Qing, an executive with Beijing cosmetic clinic CAMS, told the newspaper.
Most customers are women in their 20s and 30s, but students also make up a growing demographic, it said.
"Nowadays, China's graduating students face an extremely tight job market," Cui said. "So they turn to cosmetic surgeries to seek an edge and land a decent job."
Li Hui, a 21-year-old college student, told the paper she had no choice in this "economic age of beauty."
"An above-average-looking girl can earn 10 percent more than others doing the same job," she said.
–(Sapa)
For some, this is the only free time they have to squeeze in a trip to the clinic while for others, the holiday allows time for bruises to heal and the bandages to come off without anyone catching on, the China Daily said.
"The seven-day holiday is the best opportunity for me to do it and recover, which will make me more beautiful and therefore boost my confidence at work and in my life," said Zhang Lin, a 25-year-old Beijing white-collar worker.
Cosmetic surgery is immensely popular in China with about one million operations performed every year.
Facial surgery most popular
The most popular treatments include minor adjustments to the face, such as nasal enlargement and "double-eyelid" surgery, which adds a fold over the eyes to make them look bigger or more "western."
"We always receive a surging number of customers around the holiday," Cui Qing, an executive with Beijing cosmetic clinic CAMS, told the newspaper.
Most customers are women in their 20s and 30s, but students also make up a growing demographic, it said.
"Nowadays, China's graduating students face an extremely tight job market," Cui said. "So they turn to cosmetic surgeries to seek an edge and land a decent job."
Li Hui, a 21-year-old college student, told the paper she had no choice in this "economic age of beauty."
"An above-average-looking girl can earn 10 percent more than others doing the same job," she said.
–(Sapa)
2009 Plastic Surgery Trends
2009 Trends and Predictions from the Editors of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
28 Dec 2008
The editors of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery have gazed into their crystal balls to see what nips and tucks Americans will be seeking in 2009. From how the economy will affect cosmetic surgery to which new products will come to market, here's what we will see more - or less - of in the coming year:
Less is more in 2009. The economic recession will spur many consumers to re-evaluate their cosmetic surgery plans. More people may choose less invasive procedures such as injectables and fillers instead of major surgeries, to buy time until the economy rebounds. In fact, a recent poll of consumers and plastic surgeons released at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in Chicago found that 27 percent of the survey participants were considering less expensive options, compared with 20 percent six months ago.
Will consumers be penny-wise but pound-foolish in 2009? As the recession continues, many doctors may cut prices on surgical procedures as well as injectables to help attract new patients. But buyer beware: The worst thing you can do is put price before professional training, warns the ASPS.
Freezing away fat in 2009. Fat freezing (or cryolipolysis) may give liposuction a run for its money in the coming years. This technology works by freezing fat cells and in turn breaking them down. It's in clinical trials now, and results look promising. Stay tuned.
The latest dream cream. There is much buzz about a topical version of the wrinkle relaxer Botox. Topical Botox may be potent enough to penetrate the skin and affect the muscles, without the pain of multiple injections. Sound too good to be true? Maybe, but so far the cosmetic surgery community is enthusiastic.
Eyelash lengthening. An FDA advisory panel has recommended approving Latisse, a drug that may promote longer, thicker, darker eyelashes. The drug is a spin-off of the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which has been shown to cause eyelash growth. Latisse will likely be the first eyelash-lengthening drug to gain FDA approval.
A new version of Botox. Reloxin is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Like Botox Cosmetic, small doses of the toxin are injected into targeted wrinkle-causing muscles, preventing the muscle from contracting and reducing the wrinkle's appearance. Reloxin has similar properties and lasts about as long as Botox Cosmetic, anywhere from four to six months. It should be available in 2009.
Fat injections for breast augmentation. In 1982, the ASPS condemned using fat injections for breast enhancement, but times are changing. In 2007, the same organization softened their stance a bit and called for studies. In 2008, a task force found that reshaping the breasts by injecting a woman's own fat works well for "touch-ups" after breast reconstruction, but is not yet proven effective for cosmetic breast enhancement. In 2009 surgeons will be refining this technique.
Cohesive gel breast implants. These so-called "gummy-bear implants" have been making their way down the pike for some time, and we may hear more about them in 2009. Filled with cohesive silicone gel, these leak-resistant implants are used in Europe and Brazil and are being studied in the United States. Gummy bear implants have the positive attributes of the silicone gel, but the gel doesn't migrate. This is a good thing, because if the shell should fail, the gel won't go into surrounding tissue.
Lipodissolve study. Lipodissolve, an experimental "fat-melting" technology, is being billed as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. Also called mesotherapy, lipodissolve involves a series of medicated injections that may melt away unwanted small, localized areas of fat. To test these claims once and for all, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has begun a scientific study of mesotherapy using standardized ingredients, to examine its safety and effectiveness in a controlled setting. In this study, 20 people will have half of their lower abdomen injected with phosphatidylcholine/deoxycholate (PCDC) up to four times, with a minimum of two times. The treatments will be spaced eight weeks apart. Some results may be available in 2009.
Stronger warnings on dermal fillers. An advisory arm of the FDA has called for stronger, more specific warnings on dermal fillers. If the FDA follows the advice of this panel, expect some revisions to labels in 2009, including a timeline for potential side effects, as some adverse events can show up months after the injection.
For more information about these and other current issues in plastic surgery, please visit Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
About Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is a one-stop, independent resource with more than 150 pages of information on cosmetic plastic surgery and skincare procedures. Popular topics include:
- Breast augmentation
- Facelift
- Liposuction
- Rhinoplasty
- Tummy tuck
Cosmetic surgery articles are reviewed by an editorial advisory board comprising some of the nation's leading surgeons, assuring consumers of the highest-quality, most trustworthy information on the Web. The site is accredited by the Health on the Net Foundation.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is published by Ceatus Media Group LLC, an online provider of health information and physician directories.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is a registered trademark of Ceatus Media Group LLC.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
28 Dec 2008
The editors of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery have gazed into their crystal balls to see what nips and tucks Americans will be seeking in 2009. From how the economy will affect cosmetic surgery to which new products will come to market, here's what we will see more - or less - of in the coming year:
Less is more in 2009. The economic recession will spur many consumers to re-evaluate their cosmetic surgery plans. More people may choose less invasive procedures such as injectables and fillers instead of major surgeries, to buy time until the economy rebounds. In fact, a recent poll of consumers and plastic surgeons released at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in Chicago found that 27 percent of the survey participants were considering less expensive options, compared with 20 percent six months ago.
Will consumers be penny-wise but pound-foolish in 2009? As the recession continues, many doctors may cut prices on surgical procedures as well as injectables to help attract new patients. But buyer beware: The worst thing you can do is put price before professional training, warns the ASPS.
Freezing away fat in 2009. Fat freezing (or cryolipolysis) may give liposuction a run for its money in the coming years. This technology works by freezing fat cells and in turn breaking them down. It's in clinical trials now, and results look promising. Stay tuned.
The latest dream cream. There is much buzz about a topical version of the wrinkle relaxer Botox. Topical Botox may be potent enough to penetrate the skin and affect the muscles, without the pain of multiple injections. Sound too good to be true? Maybe, but so far the cosmetic surgery community is enthusiastic.
Eyelash lengthening. An FDA advisory panel has recommended approving Latisse, a drug that may promote longer, thicker, darker eyelashes. The drug is a spin-off of the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which has been shown to cause eyelash growth. Latisse will likely be the first eyelash-lengthening drug to gain FDA approval.
A new version of Botox. Reloxin is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Like Botox Cosmetic, small doses of the toxin are injected into targeted wrinkle-causing muscles, preventing the muscle from contracting and reducing the wrinkle's appearance. Reloxin has similar properties and lasts about as long as Botox Cosmetic, anywhere from four to six months. It should be available in 2009.
Fat injections for breast augmentation. In 1982, the ASPS condemned using fat injections for breast enhancement, but times are changing. In 2007, the same organization softened their stance a bit and called for studies. In 2008, a task force found that reshaping the breasts by injecting a woman's own fat works well for "touch-ups" after breast reconstruction, but is not yet proven effective for cosmetic breast enhancement. In 2009 surgeons will be refining this technique.
Cohesive gel breast implants. These so-called "gummy-bear implants" have been making their way down the pike for some time, and we may hear more about them in 2009. Filled with cohesive silicone gel, these leak-resistant implants are used in Europe and Brazil and are being studied in the United States. Gummy bear implants have the positive attributes of the silicone gel, but the gel doesn't migrate. This is a good thing, because if the shell should fail, the gel won't go into surrounding tissue.
Lipodissolve study. Lipodissolve, an experimental "fat-melting" technology, is being billed as a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. Also called mesotherapy, lipodissolve involves a series of medicated injections that may melt away unwanted small, localized areas of fat. To test these claims once and for all, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has begun a scientific study of mesotherapy using standardized ingredients, to examine its safety and effectiveness in a controlled setting. In this study, 20 people will have half of their lower abdomen injected with phosphatidylcholine/deoxycholate (PCDC) up to four times, with a minimum of two times. The treatments will be spaced eight weeks apart. Some results may be available in 2009.
Stronger warnings on dermal fillers. An advisory arm of the FDA has called for stronger, more specific warnings on dermal fillers. If the FDA follows the advice of this panel, expect some revisions to labels in 2009, including a timeline for potential side effects, as some adverse events can show up months after the injection.
For more information about these and other current issues in plastic surgery, please visit Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
About Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is a one-stop, independent resource with more than 150 pages of information on cosmetic plastic surgery and skincare procedures. Popular topics include:
- Breast augmentation
- Facelift
- Liposuction
- Rhinoplasty
- Tummy tuck
Cosmetic surgery articles are reviewed by an editorial advisory board comprising some of the nation's leading surgeons, assuring consumers of the highest-quality, most trustworthy information on the Web. The site is accredited by the Health on the Net Foundation.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is published by Ceatus Media Group LLC, an online provider of health information and physician directories.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery is a registered trademark of Ceatus Media Group LLC.
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
Friday, November 28, 2008
BLOG Editor and Articles
We wish to advise our readers, clients and patients that all the Surgical Escapes BLOG articles are posted and edited by Christo Hugo, partner and Managing Director of Surgical Escapes unless stated otherwise. He is a non - medical author/professional. Most of the articles posted are obtained from various Plastic Surgery Associations such as BAAPS, ASAPS, ISAPS etc. The original authors and links are noted below each article. Furthermore we also wish to add that all the other related articles published within the BLOG (not obtained from the above mentioned organisations) are obtained from various other Internet portals, forums and sites related to medical tourism. The original authors and links of these articles will also be published below each submitted article.
by Christo Hugo
by Christo Hugo
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ethnic minorities go under the knife
Women of color now have a choice when it comes to picking their plastic surgeon.
There is a reason for it. Plastic surgery is no longer a privilege for just a small group of elites. With lower prices and higher safety, a lot more people are going under the knife. According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) racial and ethnic minorities accounted for a little over 20% of all cosmetic procedures performed last year, an increase from 14% in 2000. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures at 8.5% followed by African- Americans, 6.2%; Asians, 4.6%; and other non-Caucasians, 1.1%.
Ethnicity has stopped many women from seeking cosmetic surgery in the past since they were afraid that their features would look “too white.” However, many are realizing that plastic surgery can be done without feeling like you’re trying to change your ethnicity. New procedures and specific training in treating ethnic populations have opened new avenues for patients who previously were afraid to try many procedures. For example, scarring is an area of concern among darker-skinned patients.
Expertise in treating skin of color involves more than knowing how a certain laser or injectable might affect a Hispanic or Brazilian or an African American patient. A doctor’s cultural sensitivity and knowledge can also improve a patient’s comfort level. For instance, a Spanish speaking surgeon is likely to connect better with a Latina patient. “One size does not fit all" - not only are techniques different for certain minority populations but the concept of what is beautiful is as well. he said. For example, South American women typically want smaller breasts and larger buttocks than the average white American female.
That is why Spanish-speaking Americans are increasingly being courted by surgeons in Latin America. Many American plastic surgeons now speak more than one language or have multi-lingual staff to aid in patient communication.
Like Latin women who have specific demands on how they want to look, so are the Asian patients who are primarily interested in eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) - they don’t want a Westernized look. They want subtle improvements that are not overly done. However, you don’t need to be Asian to treat Asian patients. For example, experienced aesthetic surgeons will identify pleasing ethnic features and recreate them.
Article by ASAPS
www.surgery.org
There is a reason for it. Plastic surgery is no longer a privilege for just a small group of elites. With lower prices and higher safety, a lot more people are going under the knife. According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) racial and ethnic minorities accounted for a little over 20% of all cosmetic procedures performed last year, an increase from 14% in 2000. Hispanics again led minority racial and ethnic groups in the number of procedures at 8.5% followed by African- Americans, 6.2%; Asians, 4.6%; and other non-Caucasians, 1.1%.
Ethnicity has stopped many women from seeking cosmetic surgery in the past since they were afraid that their features would look “too white.” However, many are realizing that plastic surgery can be done without feeling like you’re trying to change your ethnicity. New procedures and specific training in treating ethnic populations have opened new avenues for patients who previously were afraid to try many procedures. For example, scarring is an area of concern among darker-skinned patients.
Expertise in treating skin of color involves more than knowing how a certain laser or injectable might affect a Hispanic or Brazilian or an African American patient. A doctor’s cultural sensitivity and knowledge can also improve a patient’s comfort level. For instance, a Spanish speaking surgeon is likely to connect better with a Latina patient. “One size does not fit all" - not only are techniques different for certain minority populations but the concept of what is beautiful is as well. he said. For example, South American women typically want smaller breasts and larger buttocks than the average white American female.
That is why Spanish-speaking Americans are increasingly being courted by surgeons in Latin America. Many American plastic surgeons now speak more than one language or have multi-lingual staff to aid in patient communication.
Like Latin women who have specific demands on how they want to look, so are the Asian patients who are primarily interested in eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) - they don’t want a Westernized look. They want subtle improvements that are not overly done. However, you don’t need to be Asian to treat Asian patients. For example, experienced aesthetic surgeons will identify pleasing ethnic features and recreate them.
Article by ASAPS
www.surgery.org
How to choose the right breast implant size ?
Breast augmentation enables a woman to choose the size that she feels will boost her body image and self-confidence.
However, some women find that, following surgery, their ideas about the ideal size have changed, and this can lead them to request additional surgery. That means additional risks, so surgeons are always looking for ways to help women make better choices about size at the time of their initial augmentation surgery, according to experts a recent study showed that, while satisfaction with surgery was extremely high, nevertheless 34% of those who underwent re-operation did so simply to change the size of their implants. In most cases, women who change implant size switch to larger implants. However, implants that are too large can leave a patient looking "proportionally disfigured". If a patient demands a size unsuited to her body type, the surgeon cannot in good conscience perform the surgery. In other words, your surgeon is in the best position to lay out all the options for you and help you pick an implant size that is good for you both from a technical and aesthetic standpoint.
While there are different opinions among experts on selecting the appropriate implant size, most plastic surgeons agree that the base diameter should be the key measurement determining the selection. If you do not have enough skin to accommodate the implants, you can not have a large implant. That is why a doctor needs to examine how much skin you really have and what can be fitted in without causing stretch marks. Only when a surgeon has a chance to examine the patient, can he/she decide what is best for her body.
Article by ASAPS
www.surgery.org
However, some women find that, following surgery, their ideas about the ideal size have changed, and this can lead them to request additional surgery. That means additional risks, so surgeons are always looking for ways to help women make better choices about size at the time of their initial augmentation surgery, according to experts a recent study showed that, while satisfaction with surgery was extremely high, nevertheless 34% of those who underwent re-operation did so simply to change the size of their implants. In most cases, women who change implant size switch to larger implants. However, implants that are too large can leave a patient looking "proportionally disfigured". If a patient demands a size unsuited to her body type, the surgeon cannot in good conscience perform the surgery. In other words, your surgeon is in the best position to lay out all the options for you and help you pick an implant size that is good for you both from a technical and aesthetic standpoint.
While there are different opinions among experts on selecting the appropriate implant size, most plastic surgeons agree that the base diameter should be the key measurement determining the selection. If you do not have enough skin to accommodate the implants, you can not have a large implant. That is why a doctor needs to examine how much skin you really have and what can be fitted in without causing stretch marks. Only when a surgeon has a chance to examine the patient, can he/she decide what is best for her body.
Article by ASAPS
www.surgery.org
Cosmetic Dentistry in the UK
British dentists 'most expensive in Europe'
Costly UK dental care could lead more patients to seek treatment abroad, a report suggests.
British dentists are charging more for dental care than in any other country in Europe, a survey, by Siok Swan Tan of the Institute for Medical Technology Assessment at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, revealed. The Independent noted that in March last year two million people in the UK were not able to access dental treatment on the NHS. Yet during a Labour Party Conference speech in 1999, then-prime minister Tony Blair had said everyone would have NHS dental treatment.
"Without exception, labour costs were the most important cost driver in all countries and practices," said Ms Swan Tan.Recently the British Dental Association's chief executive Peter Ward said that he welcomed the news that the government is to increase the NHS dentistry budget for the commissioning of primary care dental services.
January 2008,
Survey by Siok Swan Tan and published by Treatment Abroad
Costly UK dental care could lead more patients to seek treatment abroad, a report suggests.
British dentists are charging more for dental care than in any other country in Europe, a survey, by Siok Swan Tan of the Institute for Medical Technology Assessment at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, revealed. The Independent noted that in March last year two million people in the UK were not able to access dental treatment on the NHS. Yet during a Labour Party Conference speech in 1999, then-prime minister Tony Blair had said everyone would have NHS dental treatment.
"Without exception, labour costs were the most important cost driver in all countries and practices," said Ms Swan Tan.Recently the British Dental Association's chief executive Peter Ward said that he welcomed the news that the government is to increase the NHS dentistry budget for the commissioning of primary care dental services.
January 2008,
Survey by Siok Swan Tan and published by Treatment Abroad
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