Beats Liposuction

The truth is there are more good results from liposuction than bad, but when bad stories surface they are usually very damaging to the cosmetic industry.  People or patients always remember bad.  It has been said that a happy customer tells one other person, but an unhappy customer will tell 9.  So a smart doctor will always strive to have happy patients. Many of the bad liposuction results are totally preventable with the person simply being more careful.

Many but not all of the bad results seen on TV are a result of trying to save money and going with a cheaper doctor or clinic that cuts corners.  Sometimes the patient waits too long to go back and report problems to the doctor.  Some of the main things that cause a patient to be unhappy are the area not being smoothed and a “lumpy” look instead.  These clumpy looking areas may cause the patient to look heavier instead of thinner and thus horrifying the patient.

Skimping on the cost of a surgeon is one of the main reasons behind bad liposuction results. In most places, the best of the best are also the most expensive. When hiring a liposuction surgeon, you want to look for and be willing to pay for the best available. Using an inexperienced or cheaper surgeon means running the risk of bad results.

Some of the more serious bad results seen are: nerve problems, tissue perforations, severe and prolonged edema, constant pain, blotchy skin, sarcomas, third spacing, fluid shifts, thrombo-embolisms (blood clots mainly in the legs), scaring, infections and cardiac problems.  When patients fail to divulge the full list of medications, drugs and supplements they are taking to their surgeon, the surgeon cannot take action to prevent bad results.

Some of the other bad results from liposuction procedures will include accidental organ perforations.  Some doctors will accidentally damage internal organs and thus causing the patient to have major complications and an emergency situation.  Other things that can go wrong are when the doctor fails to allow for proper drainage after the procedure.  By not allowing proper drainage, the patient can become infected and very ill. Where is all the pus and medications going if there is no drainage?

Normal drainage takes around three days.  If the patient has blood in their urine or blood being drained from their incisions, it is time to see a doctor right away.  You will see hundreds of horror stories on the internet and stories of bad doctors that were used, but most of these stories are surrounded by bad choices being made by patients also.  Choosing a doctor with a long line of patients and referrals will assure you of having less complications and better treatment before and after the procedure.  Although there are ways to prevent bad results, the best alternative just may be to avoid liposuction altogether.

Bookmark It

Body contouring is a safe and effective way to get your body back in shape without the stress of a stringent exercise and diet program.  It can and will return your self confidence and help you discover who you use to be.  Body-contouring surgeries are used to handle complications after losing a large amount of weight quickly.  This may happen from bariatric surgery or other natural weight loss programs. This procedure is sometimes necessary to prevent health complications from the excess skin which may cause rashes and skin infections.

Body-contouring surgery may include: tummy tuck and the lifting and tightening of all skin that is sagging and loose.  The many areas that are treated include: breasts, thighs, arms and the lower body.  In our society of supermodels and Hollywood starlet bodies, women and men feel an ever-increasing amount of pressure to look very thin and toned. However, many of us simply do not have a lot of time to devote to exercise and weight loss programs, as a general rule.

Even though there are many risks and benefits involved, body contouring is quickly replacing more traditional exercise and diet programs. For many, diet and exercise alone are simply not enough to get rid of all of the excess skin after a quick and massive weight loss. Body contouring safely rids them of the skin with a minimal amount of recovery time.

Many cosmetic surgeons are devoting a large portion of their surgery time to body contouring as an answer to the skin problem. According to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2008 there were 10.2 million surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in the US.  The main procedures included: breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposplasty, eye lid surgery, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty and gynecomastia for men.  There has been more than 67,000 body-contouring procedures done since 2007 (in excess of 100 pounds) and they are increasing every year.

Read more »

Bookmark It

Ancient techniques--A Risky Choice At Best!

Have you ever stopped to think about how much liposuction techniques have changed over even the last twenty years? The ways that our parents and grandparents saw liposuction was drastically different than the way we often view it. There are good reasons for this, and most are excellent arguments to prove that liposuction is a very different thing than it used to be, but still may not be the best option.

Before the introduction of laser-assisted liposuction, Botox injections, and similar methods, there was just liposuction. There were two basic techniques utilized for fat elimination during surgery, and both represented serious issues for patients of all ages. In many cases, the only people brave enough to risk the surgery were those with physical deformities, the rich and famous, or those who didn’t do their homework first and probably knew no better.

The dry method was as archaic and barbaric as it sounds. This method caused a lot of blood loss, and could be lethal much easier. For each section of tissue that was surgically removed, nearly thirty percent of the tissue’s composition was blood. It is not difficult to imagine that this would quickly result in some massive blood loss.

Similarly, the wet method introduced adding epinephrine to the anesthesia solution, but still resulted in a lot of blood loss. However, the ratio of blood to tissue was cut in half, and patients saw only fifteen to twenty percent instead of the thirty percent tissue-to-blood composition ratio. This may not seem like much, but it could be the difference between life and death!

In almost all of the free world today, the dry method is not used by licensed, board-certified plastic surgeons. The risks far outweigh any potential benefits, and doctors are well aware of the dozens of more modern and innovative methodologies of approaching liposuction.

Imagine choosing a plastic surgeon simply because he or she was cheap, without first asking what method(s) they use, and how that affects you. You sign all of the paperwork, pay the fee for the surgery, and begin the preparations, only to discover that the surgeon uses ancient techniques like these to perform liposuction. This could result in tragedy!

There are much safer methods available to surgeons all over the world today, including laser assisted liposuction, ultrasound technology, and power assisted methods that make the surgery a much safer choice than it was in yesteryear. Less invasive methods are better, and liposuction should only be chosen as a last choice in most cases, but the most important thing is choosing a surgeon who really understands what he/she is doing.

Bookmark It

There is much to say about what can be dangerous about a cosmetic procedure such as liposuction. Any elective surgery is risky, since it is not absolutely critical to your health, but still poses many of the same risks as emergency surgery. After all, it is still a very invasive approach to weight loss, and there are many alternatives that are not only safer, but much cheaper as well.

The first-and most important-risk involved is health related. Like any surgery, the normal risk factors include complications from surgery, like infection, swelling, inflammation, allergic/abnormal reactions to tools or implements used, reaction to medications, and more. Bruising, tenderness, and swelling are very common, and can cause fever, nausea, and similar side effects. This is especially true for the first few weeks after surgery. For many people, there are side effects, but for some, they can be severe.

Can liposuction really be deadly?

Next, potential liposuction patients should consider the fact that the final product may not be exactly what they wanted. Even very skilled plastic surgeons are still human, and, as such, are prone to having slight errors or flaws in their work. The end result could mean disproportionate fat loss, uneven shaping, and similar negative appearance-affecting products. However, you should keep in mind that you will normally get what you pay for, and, the more experience the surgeon offers, the better the result will likely turn out.

Finally, death is a very real scenario during surgery. There are several factors that can cause a fatality even during an elective cosmetic surgery that seems minor to an outsider. These include, but are definitely not limited to:

Severe allergic reaction

• Infection
• Anesthesia complications
• Prior medical history complications
• Post-operative problems

With these potentially life-threatening problems in mind, it is important to weigh all of your options before deciding to undergo liposuction or avoid liposuction. After all, there are so many substitutes that work just as well without the need for invasive techniques or painful recovery time. For most, surgery just isn’t really a necessity.

Bookmark It

Like the world of weight loss in general, in the world of diet and weight loss products, there are a wide number of brands to choose from, and many are excellent alternatives to liposuction. Each is designed differently and what may work for one may not work for another. There have been many questions circulating around weight loss products, but a very popular topic is Leptopril. What is it?

Of course, we understand that Leptopril is a weight loss aid available in the form of a pill, and recommended above cosmetic surgery in most cases. What we need to know is Leptopril’s ingredients and to learn how it works? Or does it actually work?

Leptopril is the generic brand of the weight loss drug Leptoprin, made available by Generix Laboratories. Their website boasts the use of powerful stimulants in order to “overcome diet, fatigue and provide the energy wanted and needed throughout the day.” Knowing how potentially harmful stimulant abuse can be, this should be cause for caution.

This is a drug designed for people who are considered significantly obese (have a BMI of twenty-seven or higher), or those who need to lose at least twenty pounds. The pill works by inhibiting the secretion of blood sugars, which is believed to, in turn, encourage to body to burn existing fat mass in order to create energy.

Leptopril also uses one of the body’s amino acids, L-Tyrosine, as a main active ingredient. This particular amino acid is instrumental in the functions of the thyroid, and thus directly related to a person’s metabolism rate.

Leptopril--a wonder drug?

Another important ingredient to note is guarana. While it sounds like a harmless, natural filler this ingredient could be the cause of some nasty side effects. Guarana is a natural provider of ephedrine, a stimulant banned from use in weight loss aids by the United States Food and Drug Administration due to the rates of adverse health effects that were surfacing.

Ephedrine is used in the creation of many street drugs, such as ecstasy, as well as cold and flu treatments, and is also used in simulated adrenaline, known as epinephrine.

The combination of vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements within Leptopril work to suppress the appetite. If used appropriately, this helps the consumer to eat less and burn more calories but essentially still receive their daily nutritional requirements. However, the addictive properties within the drug can actually cause a person to subconsciously eat less than they really should and actually begin to abuse the drug.

In short, Leptopril is a drug. It is not a herbal supplement or natural appetite suppressant. It contains ingredients that could prove potentially harmful and addictive, and should be taken with great care. Those who have found success with Leptopril have found it by great measure, but there have been cases of detrimental results.

Another notable fact – those who have found success with Leptopril have also incorporated healthy eating habits and regular exercise into their daily lives. Before beginning a weight loss program involving Leptopril, Leptoprin, Anorex or any similar product, be sure to discuss your plan with a qualified health care professional to ensure you take the safest route possible. While it may be a good alternative to liposuction, it may not be the best option overall.

Bookmark It

A pill a day keeps liposuction away...or does it?

Ephedra was once a very popular ingredient in weight loss and sports performance supplements all over the world, and a very common and effective replacement for liposuction.

It was banned by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 due to dangerous, adverse side effects. This Supreme Court ruling has been overturned once, allowing pharmaceutical companies to use up to 10mg of Ephedra in their products. It was again overturned to comply with the original blanket ban on Ephedra use in the United States. This back-and-forth of rulings has had many people asking, “What’s the big deal?”

In truth, Ephedra has been determined to be the cause of many, many adverse side effects and complications since it became popular in the 1980’s. However, most manufacturers and advertisers failed to advise their consumers of the potential dangers involved with using Ephedra, and, when an influx of medical emergencies occurred in users of weight loss supplements containing ephedrine, the FDA was forced to investigate.

With some very solid reasoning behind their decision to ban the drug, Ephedra is no longer available as a weight loss supplement on the retail market in the United States. Once again, cosmetic surgery has begun to become one of the most popular ways to shed pounds and fat deposits quickly.

Ephedra has been directly linked with the following side effects in users
- heart attack
- stroke
- jitters/anxiety/psychosis
- heart palpitations
- hypertension
- insomnia
- dehydration
- tremors and seizures
- malnourishment due to excessive appetite suppression

Although Ephedra’s blanket ban makes it impossible to obtain the product in the traditional retail industry (including conventional health stores, drug stores, and even some grocery chains), it is still possible to purchase it through use of the Internet. Not all countries in the world followed suit in the ban of Ephedra, and thus some European websites can legally sell Ephedra supplements and offer to ship the product to American customers – making it pertinent for everyone to be aware of the dangers of Ephedra even if it is not so readily available in your particular region.

With enough side effects to be comparable to plastic surgery, there have to be other alternatives for most people, so talk to your doctor.

Bookmark It

We’ve all seen those horrible photos on the covers of magazines at the grocery store check outs, you know the ones – some celebrity superstar has liposuction and the results are less than appealing. Bad liposuction is one of the biggest fears in potential patients, and for a very good reason. If the procedure is not properly performed, the results can end up being clumpy and uneven or even make the patient appear to gain weight! There are many causes behind bad liposuction, and many of them are entirely preventable.

Skimping on the cost of a surgeon is one of the main reasons behind bad liposuction results. In most places, the best of the best are also the most expensive. When hiring a liposuction surgeon, you want to look for and be willing to pay for the best available hand possible. Choosing an inexperienced or cheaper surgeon means running the risk of bad results.

Bad results from liposuction can include the aforementioned cosmetic effects, nerve damage, tissue damage, skin discoloration, scarring and even more detrimental organ damage.

When patients fail to divulge the full list of medications, drugs and supplements they take to their surgeon, the surgeon cannot take action to prevent bad results.

There is a very long list of substances that cause a chemical reaction when they meet with anesthesia in the blood stream. In some cases, the results are minor and the anesthesia may only wear off faster. There are more severe results that occur more commonly than we would like to, such as convulsions during surgery, black outs or difficulty breathing. If any of this occurs during liposuction, the surgeon is interrupted from his task to assist his patient and the surgery may be halted entirely. Hence, bad results.

There are definitely lots of horror stories about how horrible liposuction results can be and how they can cause permanent damage in the patients. But there are equally as many tales of triumph and great care. By ensuring you are hiring an experienced doctor with a positive reputation among his patients and by being entirely honest with him about your lifestyle, you can help reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of bad liposuction.  Even better would be to avoid liposuction.

Bookmark It

A pill a day keeps liposuction away...or does it?

According to CNN and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the Hydroxycut products, popular dietary supplements used for weight loss and cellulite, have been linked to liver damage and are being recalled. Already the FDA has received multiple reports of serious liver injuries, including death that is directly linked to Hydroxycut products. That number and cases filed against the weigh-loss manufacturer is expected to rise in the upcoming weeks, despite the recall.

Some of the current cases include the 2007 death of a 19-year-old man living in the Southwest, which was reported to the FDA in March, according to CNN. Other serious liver problems reported included liver damage that resulted in a transplant in 2002, liver failure, jaundice, seizures and cardiovascular problems, CNN said.

The FDA is warning consumers to immediately stop using 14 Hydroxycut products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. of Oakville, Ontario, and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, New York.

CNN reporters claim that the company is voluntarily recalling the following products: Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets, Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets, Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets, Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets, Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets, Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets, Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix), Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets, Hydroxycut Liquid Shots, Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink), Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed, Hydroxycut 24, Hydroxycut Carb Control and Hydroxycut Natural.

According to the FDA, last year, Iovate sold more than 9 million units of Hydroxycut products, which were distributed widely to grocery stores, health food stores and pharmacies.

As quoted on CNN, “The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risks. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they experience symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Dr. Linda Katz, interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Liver damage is rare, but patients who experienced problems were taking doses recommended on the product label, the FDA said. Symptoms include brown urine, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, stomach pain, itching and light-colored stools.

The FDA has not determined what specific ingredients are responsible for the problems, because the products contain a variety of overlapping ingredients, said CNN.

With all the turmoil regarding Hydroxycut and other ephedrine-based cellulite and weight loss products, the conclusion is no doubt that natural cellulite loss is the only way to go. Why take the chance?

Bookmark It