Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) Releases 10 Predictions for 2011
The ASAPS is the leading society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in the United States. All members of the ASAPS are board certified plastic surgeons and have extensive training and experience in cosmetic surgery. Recently, the society gave their top 10 predictions for the year to come. These predictions are based on interviews with leading plastic surgeons around the country who are actively involved in cutting edge surgical and non surgical aesthetic and cosmetic technology.
The predictions include:
• As the economy continues to improve, demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery will increase. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures will also see some growth, but people who have been putting off surgery for the past few years because of the economy will be ready for the gold standard in facial rejuvenation in 2011.
In Las Vegas, we have already seen this starting to occur. With more confidence in the economy, people who have been waiting to have plastic surgery performed are now going forward.
• The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.
Non-invasive injectables are becoming more widely accepted. This area of plastic surgery is expanding rapidly, and the Las Vegas facial filler market is no exception. We continue to see steady growth and demand for these modalities in our practice.
• As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2011.
We continue to see an increase in Las Vegas patients seeking treatment after significant weight loss, whether it be from diet and exercise or surgical intervention. Like any other surgical intervention, one needs to tailor the correct cosmetic procedure to each patient’s goals and body habits.
• As the baby boomer generation continues to age, so do their breast implants. This year many baby boomer women who have aging implants and/or breast ptosis (droop) will replace their implants and have breast lifts.
This is always a popular operation, especially in Las Vegas where a sizeable portion of the female population has breast implants. Women also have realized that there are now good options to combat the natural breast droop that comes with aging.
• Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.
Unfortunately we have seen our share of these patients referred to our office. More practitioners who are not properly trained may wish to start doing aesthetic medicine in response to the increased demand. This is not a good idea for the patient’s safety. As always, make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified and experienced.
• While liposuction (lipoplasty) will continue to be the gold-standard in fat reduction, there will be continued interest in experimental techniques for non-invasive fat removal (freezing, zapping, lasering, etc.) as a future alternative or adjunct to liposuction (lipoplasty) surgery.
Almost every week it seems like there is a new liposuction machine or procedure available and usually it is marketed directly to consumers and prospective patients. Unfortunately, these products and procedures may not always be the best for a patient’s individual situation. It is always best to sit down with a board certified plastic surgeon and see which modality is best for you.
• Aesthetic Medicine has seen a dramatic increase in the diversity of the patients treated over the past decade and this trend is expected to continue to grow stronger than ever, with applications that cater to all people. The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the spectrum of our population, as plastic surgeons further tailor treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.
The continuing challenge is to fit the cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure to each individual patient. At Las Vegas Plastic Surgery, this is where our training and expertise come in as we evaluate products and and procedures to see if they best apply to each unique patient.
• As the popularity of non surgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow, surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.
This is very true. There is always something new in plastic surgery. Products and techniques continue to evolve. This is why a career as a plastic surgeon is an exciting, demanding experience.
• Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez have made a shapely rear-end a must have accessory. In the coming year patients will be seeking posterior body lifts, buttock lifts, surgical and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their buttocks.
In Las Vegas we have seen an increase in these requests as well. One needs to not be persuaded by a passing fad or style, but rely on experience and training to make appropriate aesthetic judgments for patients.
• Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication patients will increasingly want to know if the latest procedure and device being touted on the internet and TV talk show really works and if it is safe. By incorporating evidence-based medicine into the core specialties of plastic surgery, the Aesthetic Society will make it easier for both doctors and patients to determine fact from fiction.
Medical decisions should be based on facts and data, not on hype. Using appropriate data, a doctor can make proper decisions about whatever modality or cosmetic technique is best to use.
All of these are interesting plastic surgery predictions based on current trends, demands, and technological advances. As always, it is important to note that evaluation should be based on the core values and scientific principles. This will help to weigh whether a certain cosmetic procedure is safe and effective for each individual patient. This judgment, based on training and experience, will hopefully allow the patient to reach their goal safely. Next year appears to be full of excitement and promise in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery. Let us hope it is full of health and happiness as well.
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(702) 450-0777www.jjrothmd.com
References
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
