2022

Misconceptions in plastic surgery: What are the facts?

Madison Freeman | ASPS Staff Friday, December 30, 2022

In 2020 alone, more than 20 million people received some sort of plastic surgery, according to the 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As more and more people get plastic surgery, it’s important now more than ever before to get the facts straight.

Supply and demand: How surgeons are navigating the BBL boom

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Brazilian butt lift – a plastic surgery procedure in which fat is liposuctioned from the abdomen or another fleshy part of the body and injected to enlarge and shape the buttocks – is everywhere.

The media loves to talk about them, but what do you really need to know about BBLs?

Madison Freeman | ASPS Staff Friday, December 9, 2022

When it comes to procedures like Brazilian butt lifts that have been dragged in the media for the dangers and risks, it’s essential to do your research and know what you are going into prior to having the surgery.

Brazilian butt lifts: Getting the look for less may cost you

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Friday, December 2, 2022

There's a dark side to the wildly popular Brazilian butt lift procedure – most notably, the rush of unregulated, pop-up facilities staffed with unqualified doctors or injectors, which can lead to devastating and often irreversible outcomes.

Woman survives disfiguring accident, now inspires others

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Onyinye Udebuani survived a car accident in 2018 that severely disfigured her face, changing not only her looks but the course of her life. She was a passenger in the collision that killed three others.

Plastic surgery transforms a young burn victim

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, November 18, 2022

Shamira Reeves was a toddler in Africa when her tiny torso and arms were burned by boiling water that her stepmother poured on her, webbing her arms to her body and crippling her.

Five reasons you maybe shouldn't get plastic surgery – at least not yet

Madison Freeman | ASPS Staff Monday, November 14, 2022

The basics for who is a good candidate for plastic surgery may be old news. Characteristics like being a nonsmoker, committing to leading a healthy lifestyle post-surgery and having a stable weight are tried and true features for people wanting to get plastic surgery.

A veteran continues to give back after plastic surgery restores her breasts

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, November 11, 2022

Dr. Rosie Ann Riley led a busy life in 2020 – the veteran had served her country in the Marine Corps and was a community volunteer. Illness was the last thing she expected to contend with, so she was angry when a mammogram a few weeks before Christmas revealed she had stage one breast cancer.

Plastic surgeons reconstruct NFL star Alex Smith's leg and dreams

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, November 4, 2022

NFL star Alex Smith's life changed in a matter of seconds in 2018. One moment the quarterback was running toward the 40-yard line, and the next he was steamrolled to the ground by the opposing team's J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson. The tackle shattered the bones in Smith's lower leg – and potentially his dream of ever playing football again.

Plastic surgeons want to use nerve regeneration to make prosthetic limbs move

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Plastic surgeon Paul Cederna, MD, has always been interested in solving some of the most challenging issues in reconstructive surgery. He co-leads the Neuromuscular Lab at the University of Michigan, which focuses on developing futuristic technology that uses an amputee's nerves to control a prosthetic limb.

Photographer turns camera on herself to normalize breast cancer bodies

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, October 28, 2022

Boudoir photographer Jennifer Rozenbaum was on top of the world at age 41. She was well-known within the world of portrait photography, had a large social media following and had given a TEDx talk about boudoir photography, encouraging women to be shamelessly feminine.

The importance of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day educates women about post-cancer breast reconstruction options. Celebrated this year on October 19, BRA Day features parades and community events in more than a dozen states throughout the nation.

The importance of getting your breast implants exchanged... from someone who has gotten it done

Carin Silkaitis | Freelance Writer Friday, October 14, 2022

Freelance writer Carin Silkaitis shares her experience getting her breast implants exchanged 10 years after her initial breast reconstruction procedure.

Liposuction was the most popular post-pandemic plastic surgery procedure

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, October 11, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic helped keep liposuction at the top of the plastic surgery procedure list for another year. And according to the Inaugural ASPS Insights and Trends Report, patients sought liposuction more than any other plastic surgery procedure in 2021-22.

Patients combine procedures for shorter recovery times and longer-lasting results

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, September 27, 2022

In the Inaugural ASPS Insights and Trends Report, 80 percent of survey respondents said their patients sought combination procedures for longer-lasting results and shorter recovery times.

How do diet and smoking affect plastic surgery recovery?

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Without following your surgeon's aftercare instructions, you can – at minimum – expect a longer and more uncomfortable road to recovery. And in the worst-case scenarios, serious, irreversible side effects, including necrosis, can occur.

Plastic surgery helps quadriplegic man continue his life's mission

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Friday, September 9, 2022

It's hard to imagine what it would be like to go from being a 19-year-old college football player who could do practically anything he wanted physically, to being unable to move. This became Marc Buoniconti's harsh reality after he collided with another player, dislocated his neck and sustained a spinal cord injury.

Lip flips may have been trending on TikTok, but is it the right choice for you?

Madison Freeman | ASPS Staff Tuesday, September 6, 2022

In the world of plastic surgery, TikTok is bringing to light trends new and old and is helping to shape the conversation by providing influencers, patients and physicians alike the opportunity to discuss popular aesthetic procedures.

Six things to know before booking a rhinoplasty

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, August 30, 2022

In 2020, rhinoplasty toppled the long-standing breast augmentation as the most common cosmetic plastic surgery in the United States, according to the annual statistics report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Patient's courage propels him to Olympic victory

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, August 18, 2022

When Blake Haxton reached his senior year of high school, the rowing season had just started when he noticed soreness in his lower right leg. The next morning was an ordinary Monday, but the pain in his leg was anything but.

Six things you need to know about recovering from a Brazilian butt lift

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Thursday, August 11, 2022

There's no shortage of curiosity or debate surrounding the Brazilian butt lift. This buzzworthy procedure, which transfers fat from one area of the body into the butt and hips for a more shapely hourglass silhouette, continues to shed its formerly infamous reputation.

Burn patient finds hope after accident thanks to plastic surgery

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Monday, August 8, 2022

Fractional CO2 laser therapy is a promising treatment for patients with burn scars. This noninvasive procedure uses laser energy to break down scar tissue, revealing softer and smoother skin beneath.

Eight ways to make liposuction recovery a breeze

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Thursday, August 4, 2022

Liposuction is often believed to be a minor procedure, especially when compared to other popular plastic surgeries, but the fact is that liposuction is much more serious than a "lunchtime procedure," regardless of how small the area being treated is.

Craniofacial patients lead full lives thanks to surgical advancements

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Today's young patients have benefited from innovations in craniofacial surgery that began in the late 1960s. Advances in three-dimensional imaging, for example, have helped plastic surgeons like Jesse Goldstein, MD, see how to improve the shape and function of a pediatric patient's head and face.

Innovation supports women's personal choice for post-cancer breast reconstruction

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Thursday, July 28, 2022

One in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives, and when they are, it helps to have choices for breast reconstruction after cancerous tissue removal. Thanks to innovations in surgery, women now have more options than ever when it comes to post-cancer breast reconstruction.

Increasing diversity in plastic surgery starts with transparency from men

Madison Freeman | ASPS Staff Monday, July 25, 2022

Although more than one million men had some sort of plastic surgery procedure done in 2020, you oftentimes don't hear that spoken about publicly, whether that be on social media or even in smaller circles of friends or family.

Technological advances in plastic surgery lead to complete arm transplants for two wounded warriors

Daisy Brumby | Freelance Writer Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Plastic surgery has advanced considerably since its origins as a treatment for injured soldiers. From rudimentary surgeries during World War I, it has now grown to full limb transplants for troops who have lost their arms, restoring function and giving them a chance at living a more normal life.

'I'm going back – I need to see if I can help': ASPS member recounts Highland Park horror

Paul Snyder | Managing Editor Thursday, July 7, 2022

At first, ASPS member Loren Schechter, MD, thought kids were setting off fireworks. Then he noticed the tree he was standing under was shaking. Then he smelled the gun powder.

Taking a celeb photo to your plastic surgeon is a slippery slope – here's why

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Wednesday, June 22, 2022

It would be easy to think that a person who walks into a plastic surgeon's office with a picture of Kim Kardashian, asking for one of her specific features is the best kind patient – confident, assured and knows exactly what they want. But in reality, those filtered snaps of overexposed celebrities often blur the line between fantasy and reality when it comes to beauty and plastic surgery.

Part 2: What you can really expect during a breast augmentation recovery

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, June 14, 2022

When it comes to any plastic surgery procedure, is important to understand what to expect when recovering from surgery. The first month after a breast augmentation can be overwhelming, but you can prepare for a smoother recovery by knowing what to expect.

What you can really expect during a breast augmentation recovery

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Wednesday, June 1, 2022

When it comes to recovering from any type of procedure, it's easy to talk the talk. But unless you've been there and done that, there's truly no way anyone could know what they can reasonably expect, and that can be scary for patients seeking a surgical procedure.

Three ways to get rid of turkey neck

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Monday, May 23, 2022

Visible changes in the neck area tend to appear rather abruptly. One day, everything is fine, your jawline is taut and defined, and the next, something just looks... off.

Blepharoplasty patients are getting younger – here's why

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Eyelid surgery has continuously clocked in as a top-five mainstay of the most popular procedures in the country. In 2020, it was the second most performed procedure, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, trailing slightly behind rhinoplasties.

Six procedures to get now to be summer-ready

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, May 3, 2022

While the pandemic was a rough time for many, it certainly didn't negatively impact the popularity of cosmetic procedures and surgeons are anticipating patient requests will shift slightly as they start to set their eyes on a summer vacation or a beach weekend.

Celebs are more transparent than ever about plastic surgery, but is it always helpful?

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The celebrity plastic surgery have they or haven't they game is tired, and inherently implies some kind of plastic surgery shaming, which we all can agree needs to end.

Combining liposuction with skin tightening is the secret to getting serious results

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Monday, April 11, 2022

There are several effective options for skin tightening that can be done in tandem with liposuction or at a subsequent appointment.

Everything you need to know about a daddy do-over

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, April 5, 2022

A daddy do-over is the male equivalent of a mommy makeover. It's basically a combination of procedures aimed at getting rid of the 'dad bod.'

Seven things you need to know about a Brazilian butt lift

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Monday, March 28, 2022

A Brazilian butt lift is an augmentation of the buttock region using a patient's own fat tissue. Fat removed from others areas of the body is injected into the hips and buttocks to improve shape and projection.

Why is cellulite so hard to address and what are my options?

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Cellulite can be, quite literally, an annoying pain in the butt. However, there are a few treatments and devices designed to alleviate cellulite.

Six questions to ask before booking a tummy tuck

Kaitlin Clark | Freelance Writer Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Although a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, may sound like a cute, breezy procedure to reconcile a bit of ab flab, it is a complex, multi-step plastic surgery procedure that addresses a stubborn, flabby pooch around and below the belly button.

What to expect from your rhinoplasty recovery

Gabby Shacknai | Freelance Writer Wednesday, February 23, 2022

If you're unhappy with your nose and are considering a permanent way to change the size, shape or appearance of it, you're far from alone.

How to get rid of under-eye bags

Gabby Shacknai | Freelance Writer Friday, February 18, 2022

If you've ever stayed up until the early hours of the morning – be it drinking with friends at your favorite bar or finishing up a presentation for work the next day – you're likely familiar with the unwelcome sight of bags under your eyes.

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