No doubt, breast augmentation is one of the most popular procedures among women these days. With the use of either saline or silicone gel breast implants, it enhances a woman’s feminine contour and may provide a potential boost in self-esteem. But please note: plastic surgery is nothing to take lightly as this procedure can create results that are less than satisfactory if performed by an unqualified plastic surgeon. And although problems may naturally develop even in the hands of an experienced professional, your risks are less likely to occur if you are under the care of a doctor who has the necessary education, training, and credentials.

So what to do if your breast implants appear or feel abnormal?

This is where you come in. By paying attention to your body and meeting with a skilled plastic surgeon, such as Dallas and Plano, Texas breast augmentation specialist Dr. Robert D. Wilcox, immediately after you notice any problems; doing so, you will help to lower the chance of a problem persisting. Some of the most common complications that could result from breast enlargement surgery are: rippling, infection, hematoma, nipple numbness and breast sensation changes, displacement, and rupture. Capsular contracture, which is when scar tissue forms around the implant causing hardness and a distortion of the breast shape, is the most common type of problem associated with breast enhancement; it is a reaction to the insertion of a foreign object in the body.

Celebrities are not exempt from experiencing complications from plastic surgery. In fact, it appears that more and more stars are having to undergo revisions (for presumably various reasons), which are made public. Several publications, including HollywoodNews.com, reported that Danielle Staub from “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” had to undergo breast revision in order to correct her problem with capsular contracture. Although her breasts were initially enhanced in a subtle manner, she still experienced problems. Complications with breast augmentation do not only occur in women who go extra large with implants – risks can affect all sizes.

Be sure to understand all that is associated with plastic surgery prior to undergoing a major procedure, and ask all of the necessary questions before deciding to go forward.

The nose – a distinctive facial feature that many people are unhappy with when they look in the mirror. Does your nose appear too long? Are your nostrils too wide? Is the bridge of your nose crooked? There is no one type of person who embodies the ideal candidate for rhinoplasty. That said, those with an ethnic background continue to undergo rhinoplasty more and more every year, as it is has become more acceptable among all cultures. Plastic surgery reality television shows have helped to make this more acceptable, as the public can watch individuals like them receive such procedures as rhinoplasty for a new look.

According to a past 2004 BNET.com report: “Many experts say that plastic surgery is no longer a taboo topic among black families and friends. In the past, many African-Americans didn’t want to go into the operating room for fear of coming out with features that were ‘too White’ or ‘too European.’” Now, six years later, it is even more common for a black, Hispanic, or Asian patient to receive rhinoplasty. There are no limitations as to who should undergo plastic surgery anymore. It’s all a matter of personal preference.

Dr. Robert D. Wilcox, a Plano, Dallas, and Frisco, Texas rhinoplasty specialist, has a diverse clientele, treating those who simply want to enhance their nasal appearance. He understands that ethnic backgrounds have unique features, including nasal bone and body structures. Therefore, his ultimate goal is to bring good harmony to a person’s face without erasing natural ethnic features and altering their identity. Not every ethnic person who wants to undergo rhinoplasty desires a “Westernized” appearance; it is more about looking like a better version of themselves. Rhinoplasty can be used to: make a nose larger or smaller, narrow the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and the upper lip, and change the shape of the bridge or tip of the nose. (It can also be performed to improve breathing difficulties and to correct birth deformities.)

The best way to determine if rhinoplasty is right for you is to make an appointment with a qualified plastic surgeon. During this time, you can view before and after photos, ask questions, and learn about the doctor’s training, education, and credentials.

Improving the appearance of the nose is just one way to help ensure that your first impression is a lasting one.

According to a recent CBS News report, “Kim Kardashian may be famous for her fanny, but she doesn’t think fans should go under the knife in order to get a similar look.” In responding to a recent tweet from a fan, a woman who wants to please her husband and get a look like the celebrity (he is said to be obsessed with the star), Kardashian urged her to reconsider. “Pls don’t. Ur husband should love u 4 who u are! Don’t try 2 b someone else. Im sure u are beautiful inside and out! Just as u are,” Kardashian tweeted.

While the Twitter fan appears to want plastic surgery for the wrong reasons – to please someone else – there are thousands of others who simply want to improve their appearance in order to feel more confident and beautiful. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), 4,996 people underwent buttock augmentation in 2009 – a 37.3 percent increase from 2008.

The irony lies in the fact that many women who desire butt augmentation actually request a butt like that of Kardashian – a voluptuous celebrity who continues to gain the attention of both men and women everywhere. But she says “no” to those who want to enhance their buttocks through surgery in order to emulate someone else. Although Kardashian has admitted to receiving Botox, she is reported to have said that the rest of her looks are natural. That said, wouldn’t it make sense that Kardashian supports an individual’s decision to undergo a procedure, such as butt augmentation, should they desire a new look? (In other recent reports, Kardashian was said to have had nose surgery.) Only if done for the right reasons. Emulating another person is regarded as the biggest form of flattery, but a person should not depend on plastic surgery to look just like a celebrity.

The popularity of butt augmentation in Dallas TX (with the use of butt implants or via fat transfer) continues to grow, as the near flawless appearance of Kardashian continues to inspire women everywhere. And while turning to a celebrity for advice – someone who has obviously undergone enhancements herself – may help to determine if plastic surgery is the best choice for you, it shouldn’t be the end all answer. Prospective patients from and around the Dallas, TX area should always consult a qualified plastic surgeon before making their final decision.

Every year, there are millions of people in the country who desire a change to their look. Therefore, with great justification, the rise in plastic surgery popularity continues to grow.

But whether an individual desires a facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, tummy tuck surgery, and/or liposuction, the cost of plastic surgery can carry a burdensome weight for some people in the overall experience. If you can relate, you may be asking yourself, “Can I afford it?” But before you turn the other cheek and deny yourself the opportunity to enhance your appearance, you may want to first learn about the fees that contribute to the total cost of a procedure. Many individuals are unaware of all that makes up the total cost, which can be attributed to a lack of research and asking questions. But this is an important part of your experience – understanding all of the factors associated with your procedure(s) of choice.

The total cost of plastic surgery is an all-encompassing fee. Here are the main variables that make up the overall amount:

- Type of procedure
- Surgeon/Physician’s fee
- Anesthesia
- Operating room/surgical facility
- Geographic location

Some of the other factors that will affect the total cost are procedure-specific, such as the number of areas to be treated (i.e., liposuction, body lift surgery, laser hair removal) and the type of implant used for breast augmentation (silicone gel is typically more expensive than saline). One of the ways that patients can save money (and time) is to undergo a combination of procedures during the same surgery setting, such as undergoing liposuction and tummy tuck surgery in conjunction with one another. Not only can this save the patient money, it can also save them time.

Fortunately, we offer convenient financing options and payment arrangements for those who may be unable to pay the total cost upfront. You can learn more about the cost of plastic surgery during the time of your initial consultation with our Dallas / Frisco, TX body contouring surgeon.

If only diet and exercise could reduce fat in every single area of the body! Literally, there’s a slim chance of this happening.

Unfortunately, many people are cursed with having excess fat deposits on their bodies, specifically surrounding their abdomens. As the warm season shines down upon us, the desire to gain a flatter, better-contoured stomach becomes more intense. Many people want a firm belly, and they want it now! But because there are many reasons as to why fat just sits there, causing the stomach to fall over the belt line and stick out on the sides (which is considered “subcutaneous fat,” as it sits outside the abdominal wall versus “visceral fat,” which sits inside the abdominal wall), getting rid of it is not easy.

Women aren’t the only ones who desire a more svelte shape in the midsection - men want to feel more confident and look good too. According to a recent Dallas News article, titled “Men, here’s how to send belly fat packing,” some of the other main reasons why “beer bellies” and “love handles” may develop are due to “genetics, inactivity, age, smoking - and, of course, alcohol.” Over-eating is also a culprit of gaining weight in the stomach.

Reducing the amount of fat in this area should not only be done for cosmetic enhancement; excess belly fat is also correlated with health risks. With the link between increased risk of heart disease and an increasing amount of abdominal fat, losing belly fat will only make for a more beautiful, healthier you.

So if dieting and exercise don’t provide the desired results, it may be time to look into surgical assistance. This is why many individuals turn to the Plano and Dallas office of Dr. Robert D. Wilcox for such body contouring procedures as liposuction surgery and tummy tuck surgery. Before and after photos are available on Dr. Wilcox’s website, and consultations can be scheduled by contacting his office. Meeting with a qualified medical professional is an important part in determining if plastic surgery is the best choice.

Exchanging a pair of breast implants is not like exchanging a pair of jeans - it’s not just about saving your receipt and walking in and walking out of the store. However, breast implants do come with warranties, a type of protection that many women who undergo breast augmentation may not know about.

Factors such as the length of time for surgery, possible risks and side effects, anesthesia, and all that the recovery time entails are typically the most discussed areas of plastic surgery among doctor and patient; and although Dr. Robert D. Wilcox of Plano and Dallas, Texas provides patient satisfaction, due to his many years of experience and highly sought-after breast augmentation skills, it is still important that you are knowledgeable about what you are signing up for when it comes to the implant used for breast augmentation or a breast lift with augmentation.

Two of the more popular manufacturers of breast implants, Mentor and Allergan, are known to ensure quality product and development. It is reported that both manufacturers offer lifetime product replacement in the event of a deflation or rupture due to loss of shell. Still, the details regarding implant warranties can be confusing for some patients, as there are specifics per type of implant and different enrollment costs. Visiting each company’s corresponding websites to learn more about breast implant warranties go hand in hand with learning about the cost of plastic surgery. You want to make sure that your investment is worth it.

Look for an upcoming article about breast implants, and how to detect post-op complications.

This past May, CNN.com wrote an article about the 50th birthday of the laser. “From talking on the telephone to listening to a CD, laser technology makes a lot of what we do happen,” the story acknowledged. This is true for the cosmetic surgery industry as well. The use of lasers continues to play an integral and beneficial role in enhancing the appearances of patients everywhere.

Many people choose to receive laser treatments in addition to, or as an alternative, a surgical procedure.

For example, laser skin resurfacing can be used to improve various problem areas, such as the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, scars and hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration), which occur primarily around the eyes and mouth. Facelift surgery is designed to raise and tighten the facial skin and muscles to a more youthful position, which naturally helps to alleviate wrinkles and lines as well. Both laser skin resurfacing and facelift surgery can be stand-alone procedures; however, they can produce optimal results when combined.

It is to be noted that laser facial treatments typically do not produce permanent results, as compared to the longevity of plastic surgery outcomes. Follow-up laser treatment sessions, however, can create long-lasting results. Dallas and Plano facelift plastic surgeon Dr. Robert D. Wilcox is a skilled professional who can help to determine which procedure, or combination of procedures, is best for the patient. In addition to specializing in facelift surgery, he also offers Fotofacial™ treatment, or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, which is designed to lessen the appearance of sun damage, brown spots, birthmarks, and diffused redness. This type of treatment involves the use of a specially calibrated, non-abrasive laser.

When it comes to maintaining a beautiful image and a slim physique, entertainers tend to have more pressure than most “normal” people do - especially movie stars. The pressure to have a youthful look and a fit body can come from all directions: agents, managers, directors, and the media. Not to mention, the competition between actors and having to look the best in order to get the perfect role must be, at some point, downright daunting.

“Sex and the City” actor Chris Noth (”Mr. Big”), who also appeared in its sequel, “Sex and the City 2,” has been out and about appearing more refreshed and younger-looking than usual. According to ifitandhealthy.com, “The case can be made that he had an eye and possibly a neck lift, and maybe some Botox injections into his forehead.” ETOnline.com, on a different note, featured an article about Noth’s recent weight loss and how one director told him to lose his “gut.” Noth, who also plays a detective on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” reportedly improved his problem area by engaging in such activities as yoga, hiking, and kayaking.

But what about men who aren’t movie stars? What about normal guys here in Plano, Texas? Studies show that men who take care of themselves have longer lives with a higher quality of life. Oftentimes, there are factors that no amount of dieting, exercise, or over-the-counter creams can fix. We now understand why men are increasingly turning to plastic surgeons for their advice. Frequently, Dr. Robert D. Wilcox has offered such advise from Dallas and Plano area men, interested in procedures ranging from liposuction to Botox.

Although it may not be a subject of conversation over martinis among men, there is no doubt that they desire aesthetic improvements just as much as women do.

Childbirth inevitably takes a toll on a woman’s body. Stretch marks, a protruding abdomen, sagging breasts, and excess fat deposits can culminate into a less-than-satisfied appearance. This is why numerous women approach plastic surgery with the desire to adjust their post-pregnancy body and return to how they looked before having children. (Natural methods of diet and exercise do not always help to improve a woman’s body, especially following childbirth.)

Enter the much-talked about “Mommy Makeover!”

This entails a series of procedures designed to improve more than one problem area. Liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, and breast lift surgery with augmentation are the top procedures that compose a Mommy Makeover. Dr. Wilcox has years of experience performing each of these procedures with great skill and safety:

Breast Lift with Augmentation:

Breast lift surgery (”mastopexy“) is designed to elevate and reshape the breast to a more youthful position. Commonly, breast lifts are combined with breast augmentation (”augmentation mammaplasty”) as implants allow for greater firmness and volume. Together, these procedures can provide optimal enhancement results for the patient.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction:

A tummy tuck (”abdominoplasty“) is designed to remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. When combined with liposuction (”lipoplasty“) in the midsection, excess fat deposits can be removed and help to give way to a leaner, more defined tummy.

While many of these procedures can be performed together, they can also be performed separately. Many women opt to have them combined in the same surgery setting to save both time and money. Each case is different, however, in which Dr. Wilcox can help to determine what is most appropriate for the patient.

A Mommy Makeover can help to provide greater self-confidence and higher sense of self-esteem for women who simply want to look and feel better about their bodies following childbirth. During the consultation at his Dallas, Texas practice in Plano, Dr. Wilcox can discuss which procedures should be performed in conjunction with one another, such as breast lift with augmentation and/or tummy tuck surgery with liposuction surgery, depending on the patient’s needs and anatomy.

Dr. Wilcox and his staff regularly provide patient education to those who reside in and around the Dallas area. Whether an individual is prepared and walks in for the consultation with a checklist of questions or is ill-prepared and has never done the proper research, Dr. Wilcox will make sure that person walks out of the appointment with a full understanding of the procedure(s) at hand.

It is desirable, however, that those who are interested in plastic surgery, such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, or liposuction, are willing to learn about the various details involved. This includes gaining knowledge about important factors, such as the:

• Length of time for surgery - How long will I be in surgery?
• Recovery period - When I can I return to my normal activities?
• Potential risks and side effects - Should I anticipate certain types of complications?
• Duration of results - Will my outcome be permanent?
• Anesthesia - What type of anesthesia will I receive?
• Cost - Is financing available?

It is especially advantageous to learn about Dr. Wilcox’s background and credentials as well as view before and after photos (in addition to what is featured on his website). Dallas rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, or liposuction patients who have chosen Dr. Wilcox as their surgeon should feel at ease with him and confident about his work. Plastic surgery offers long-lasting to permanent results, and the last thing a person should do is go forward with blinders on. Being prepared for the consultation will only make the time spent with Dr. Wilcox, at his Plano, Texas practice, more worthwhile.