By Jennifer Warner
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
WebMD Health News

April 16, 2012 — A chiseled chin may be the latest “must have” body part.

A new report shows “chinplants,” otherwise known as chin augmentation or chin implants, are the fastest-growing plastic surgery trend among men and women. The popularity of chin implants rose by 71% in 2011, more than breast augmentation, botulinum toxin injection, and liposuction combined.

Researchers say the trend appears to be fueled by a combination of increasing use of video chats, an aging baby boomer population, and competition in the workplace.

“The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging,” Malcolm Z. Roth, MD, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, says in a news release. “We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be.”

Other cosmetic procedures that experienced the biggest increases in popularity in 2011 also focus on the face, including:

• Lip augmentation: 49% increase
• Cheek implant: 47% increase
• Laser skin resurfacing: 9% increase
• Soft tissue fillers: 7% increase
• Facelift: 5% increase

Chin Implants up by 71% vs. 4% Rise in Breast Implants in 2011

Top Cosmetic Procedures
Although the number of chin implants grew from 12,077 to 20,680 in 2011, those numbers are dwarfed in comparison to the most popular cosmetic procedure, breast augmentation.

The report shows plastic surgeons performed more than 300,000 breast augmentations in 2011, a 4% increase from 2010.

Other top cosmetic surgical procedures in 2011 were:

• Nose reshaping: 243,772 (down 3%)
• Liposuction: 204,702 (up 1%)
• Eyelid surgery: 196,286 (down 6%)
• Facelift: 119,026 (up 5%)

Researchers say facelifts are back among the top five cosmetic plastic surgeries for the first time since 2004 and knocked tummy tucks out of the top five.

Among minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, laser hair removal and soft tissue fillers were among the fastest growing.

The top five minimally invasive procedures in 2011 were:

• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport): 5.7 million (up 5%)
• Soft tissue fillers (Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, and others): 1.9 million (up 7%)
• Chemical peels: 1.1 million (down 3%)
• Laser hair removal: 1.1 million (up 15%)
• Microdermabrasion: 900,000 (up 9%)

Click HERE to read the full article.

For more information on ‘chinplants’ or any other cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, call Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Kapp in West Palm Beach at (561) 833-4022.

By Jan Brogan, Boston Globe Correspondent / April 9, 2012

Debra Haining lay in a hospital bed at Massachusetts General Hospital, awaiting surgery. Both eyelids were colored purple, and blue dots were drawn on her forehead, including one on each temple, and one above her left eye.

The dots indicated the location where she feels the migraine, the trigger points, where the pain strikes. She is 57 years old and says that she never had a headache until five years ago, when she woke up feeling as if she’d been shot through the head.

She was forced to spend nearly every day in bed with the curtains drawn. She could not tolerate light, smell, or sound. Typically she rose only to see her 12-year-old son off to school in the morning and in the afternoon when he returned. Until recently, she had an ice pack to her head and could not drive a car.

A half-dozen medications, four different pain clinics, a variety of headache cocktails and injections, and numerous neurologists didn’t provide relief. Haining, who lives in Pawtucket, R.I., searched the Internet until she found Dr. W.G. (Jay) Austen Jr., of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

He operated on her last month to relieve the pressure on the nerves believed to cause the pain in what is still a relatively new procedure.

An estimated 36 million people, or 10 percent of the US population, suffer from migraine, according to Cathy Glaser of the Migraine Research Foundation, a New York-based national organization that raises money for research and provides informational resources to sufferers. Three times as many women as men are afflicted.

Migraine is not merely a headache, but a constellation of neurological symptoms that may include nausea and visual disturbances.

The nerve decompression procedure is one of at least five new migraine surgeries, ranging from closing a hole in the heart to implanting electrodes to stimulate the nerves, Glaser says. These surgeries are only for “the very worst cases,” she says, the people who have already tried pharmaceutical and behavioral therapies. “The truly desperate.”

Haining says she was tired of doctors who suggested that she learn to accept a lifetime of pain, pills, and shots, and was relieved to find a doctor who offered to treat the cause of the migraine and not just the symptoms. “When you are debilitated and life comes to a halt, you are willing to try what’s out there.’’

In the operating room at Mass. General, Austen began surgery on Haining by making an incision in one of her eyelids in what would appear to be a routine blepharoplasty, a cosmetic surgery known as an “eyelid lift.”

Haining would benefit cosmetically by removal of this globular flat that settles into each eyelid with age. But the point, Austen says, is that this particular procedure provides “easy access” to the critical sensory nerves around her eyes that he believes were causing migraine pain.

Click HERE for full article.

For more information about how plastic surgery could help your migraines, call West Palm Beach based Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Kapp at (561) 833-4022.

The most recent figures on Americans and plastic surgery were just released and there’s an interesting new twist: a big increase in those 65 and over getting their sags and wrinkles nipped, tucked and smoothed.

Elective cosmetic procedures among men and women age 65 and older jumped 43 percent from 2005 to 2011, to more than 760,000, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. That number also represents an 11 percent increase over 2010.

Among surgical procedures, eyelid lifts were the most popular in this age group, followed by facelifts and liposuction. However, non-surgical enhancements were even more popular, with Botox injections and other wrinkle-smoothers making up 87 percent of cosmetic procedures on the 65-and-older crowd last year.

Doctors say that with Americans working longer than they anticipated, many older employees believe a little cosmetic rejuvenation will help them compete with younger co-workers, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Other experts, however, believe that it has to do with outlook on life. The attitude is, ” ‘I want to do everything I can to enjoy the years I have left,’ ” David Sarwer, associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Human Appearance, told the newspaper.

Whatever the reason, physicians caution that those age 60-plus should realize that rates of healing, reactions to anesthesia and the potential for complications all can be different and possibly more problematic for older adults.

Here are some recommendations to follow:

*Consult your family doctor and more than one specialist about your appearance goals, including the condition of your skin and its potential for quick healing.

*Ask if any procedure requires local or general anesthesia or if there is a choice. Find out the risks and after-effects for any type of anesthesia.

*Realize that the risk of general anesthesia is higher for older patients. Sometimes anesthesia can cause patients to become confused and disoriented for days and interfere with memory and the ability to concentrate.

*Buy temporary insurance policies, typically about $150, to cover the risks of complications. Cosmetic procedures are rarely covered by health insurance plans, except for some cases, such as eyelid reduction to aid vision. That means that any operation-related complications won’t be covered unless you have extra insurance.

*Make sure your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Ask about possible side effects, when you can resume normal activities and how much pain you can expect during recovery. Get a full break-down of all costs. For more, read “11 questions to ask your plastic surgeon.”

To make an appointment with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Kapp in West Palm Beach, please call (561) 833-4022.

Mike and I have been wanting to thank you for all the wonderful care that you gave to him during that awful time in our lives.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you and your staff did for Miek, although he was not crazy about the “debring” part of the visits, lolol.

If it wasn’t for you and Gary, Mike would and could have lost his foot.

There isn’t much that we can do to level the playing field on thanking you, but our hopes of sending this gift card of $100.00 to use as you wish is straight from our hearts.  As you know, we wanted to take you out for dinner, but Mike’s schedule for being here in the states for longer than a couple of days is usually minimal, but it can be done!  So, I will continue to hope that we can get together for dinner at sometime.

Again, thank you, thank you and thank you for your time and effort on Mike’s behalf, and mine!

Take good care,

Carrie and Mike

Thank you for taking such good care of me.  Your professionalism, skill and compassion are boundless.  I am happy to be a part of your life.

Fondly,
Barbara

            That word is not enough to express my appreciation for your acting like a Mensch. Between all those doctors…you, a total stranger, took it upon yourself to care as much as if I was your father, or uncle. Without you taking the baton and running with it I surely would have fallen between the cracks.

            Enjoy this little token of my appreciation.

                                                            Sincerely,
                                                            Pat and Paul

For Immediate Release: 02/09/2012

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The plastic surgery market continues to show significant growth – two years in a row. According to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 13.8 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures (both surgical and minimally-invasive) were performed in the United States in 2011, up 5 percent since 2010. In addition, 5.5 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year, up 5 percent.

“While the rate of economic recovery in the U.S. is still uncertain, 2011 proved to be a good year for plastic surgery,” said ASPS President Malcolm Z. Roth, MD. “Consumer confidence was up, auto sales rose 10 percent, so it is not surprising that we would also see increased demand for plastic surgery procedures.”

Cosmetic surgical procedures increased 2 percent, with nearly 1.6 million procedures in 2011. The top five surgical procedures were:

• Breast augmentation (307,000 procedures, up 4 percent)

• Nose reshaping (244,000 procedures, down 3 percent)

• Liposuction (205,000 procedures, up 1 percent)

• Eyelid surgery (196,000 procedures, down 6 percent)

• Facelift (119,000 procedures, up 5 percent)

Facelifts are among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures for the first time since 2004, replacing tummy tucks. Interestingly, a procedure popular with men, chin augmentation, nearly doubled in 2011, with 21,000 procedures performed, up 71 percent. Lip augmentation also rose significantly – up 49 percent, with more than 25,000 procedures performed.

“We are seeing notable increases in surgical procedures, such as facelifts, that reflect the demands of an aging boomer population,” said Dr. Roth. “However, the overall growth in cosmetic procedures is being primarily driven by a substantial rise in minimally-invasive procedures.”

Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 6 percent, with nearly 12.2 million procedures in 2011. The top five minimally-invasive procedures were:

• Botulinum toxin type A (5.7 million procedures, up 5 percent)

• Soft tissue fillers (1.9 million procedures, up 7 percent)

• Chemical peel (1.1 million procedures, down 3 percent)

• Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, up 15 percent)

• Microdermabrasion (900,000 procedures, up 9 percent)

Soft tissue fillers like hyaluronic acid (Restylane®, Juvederm Ultra®, etc.), calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®), and fat injections experienced some of the largest growth in the minimally-invasive market during 2011. More than 1.3 million hylauronic acid procedures were performed in 2011, up 9 percent; 286,000 calcium hydroxylapatite procedures, up 36 percent; and 68,000 fat injections, up 19 percent.

Reconstructive plastic surgery, which improves function and appearance to abnormal structures, increased 5 percent in 2011. The top five reconstructive procedures were:

• Tumor removal (4.2 million, up 3 percent)

• Laceration repair (303,000, down 15 percent)

• Maxillofacial surgery (195,000, up 125 percent)

• Scar revision (175,000, up 9 percent)

• Hand surgery (120,000, up 13 percent)

Breast reconstruction rates continue to rise, with more than 96,000 procedures performed last year, up 3 percent since 2010.

“While insurance coverage for breast reconstruction is mandated by law, continued strides to provide coverage for other reconstructive procedures has contributed, in part, to the sizable gain that we are seeing with these procedures,” said Dr. Roth. “Reconstructive surgery is a critical pillar of the specialty, and it is encouraging to see that increasing numbers of patients entrust board-certified plastic surgeons to reconstruct their bodies after disease or trauma.”

ASPS members can report procedural information through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with the annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.

To view the 2011 National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics report, click HERE.  Visitors can also find information about procedures and referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons.

For more information on any of these plastic or reconstructive surgery procedures, contact Dr. Kapp at his West Palm Beach office at (561) 833-4022.

About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. For more information, please visit www.plasticsurgery.org.

An FDA advisory panel had previously voted 6-0 with 1 abstention that the benefits of using Restylane as an injection for lip augmentation outweighed its risks, and that the filler was safe and effective for this indication. The panel reviewed the results of a study of 135 patients who received Restylane and 45 patients with no treatment. Almost all patients (99%) experienced adverse events, which included bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching, and skin exfoliation. Of those who were treated, 15% experienced adverse events (typically swelling and tenderness) that lasted more than 15 days.

Restylane and Juvederm are the most commonly utilized hyaluronic acid fillers in the United States. To learn more about treatments with Restylane and Juvederm, contact Dr. Kapp’s West Palm Beach office at (561) 833-4022.

            I just wanted to thank you for the kindness you have shown to both my mother and me. Your gentle manner and the special attention you personally gave me are very much appreciated during this extremely difficult time.

                                                            Most Sincerely,
                                                            Suzanne

            It was my lucky day when I found you. Thank you for the loving care and professional care. I shall always be grateful.
                                           Annette