There are a lot of helpful articles out there on how to pick a good plastic surgeon but few patients seems ask the right questions! I work for one of the top plastic surgeons in the country and I find that a lot of patients do not really look into a doctor's background before having surgery! Often times it still comes down to price. And with the way the economy is going this is getting a little scary!! There are unfortunately a lot of doctors willing to do just about anything to make money! The thing patients fail to understand is once you have one bad surgery it can be a downward slide. The patient may even find themselves in the position where the doctor that performed the botched surgery will not fix it without you paying for a whole other surgery again and if you seek out another doctor he will most likely ask for way more due to the fact that you have now become a revision. The one thing that patients never seem to ask before surgery is "what is your revision policy." If I were a patient I would get it writing no matter what. Here at Dr. Hochstein's office we have one that states that in the event of a revision that requires general anesthesia the patient will pay for the OR and anesthesia costs and that's it. All doctor’s costs will be waived. If it is done under local, all costs will be waived.
By Michelle Heavens
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
America's Race Horses
Do something good today for your soul!! It only takes a minute and the horses need you for they can not speak for themselves. When you call tell them that you are calling about the National Commission to protect our Race Horsese!!!!
America's Race Horses Need Protection
Dear Michelle,
Every year, hundreds of race horses suffer career ending and even fatal injuries on race tracks across the country. The recent, high-profile deaths of Eight Belles and Barbaro put a spotlight on the high risk faced by these majestic animals, who are literally "run to death" in some cases. Take action to protect America's race horses.
Currently, only a handful of states ban the use of steroids in horse racing, but most states do not. Decisions regarding track surfaces, young horses racing while their bones are still developing, and other horse welfare concerns are made on a state-by-state basis, resulting in widely varying degrees of protection across our country.
Fortunately, Congress is considering the formation of a national commission to address these concerns and provide uniform regulation of the horse racing industry.
TAKE ACTION
Please make a brief, polite phone call to your U.S. Representative, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, at (202) 225-7931 to urge support for a national commission to protect our race horses.
When you call, you will likely speak to a staff member who will pass your message along to your legislator. Remember to be polite and professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent. You can say:
"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling from [your city] to ask Representative Wasserman Schultz to support the formation of a national commission to oversee horse racing. Thank you."
After making your call, please send a follow-up email to Congress in support of national oversight of the horse racing industry. And don't forget to tell your friends and family how they can protect horses, too.
Thank you for all you do for animals.
Sincerely,
Mike Markarian
Executive Vice President
The Humane Society of the United States
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Face Lift
When to do a face lift is a very hard decision to make for any woman. Choosing to do them younger even more. The age old question is : When do you decide to trade lose saggy skin for scars? Even though a really good doctor hides his scars well at best you will still have to deal with at least six months to a year with some form of evidence. Because of this, some women put off having face lifts until it is too late to have any chances of looking natural. Every year that goes by we lose more fat and elasticity and these are exact things that make a face look youthfull. We have all seen the wind blown look where a woman's face looks like it has been pulled too tight and her ears are wrapped around her head. This is not always the doctor's fault, not to say that a good doctor is not worth its weight in gold when it comes to face lifts, but the older and more worn out from aging, sun damage and smoking, the harder it is to achieve fantastic results. All these things cause skin to become like paper instead of the bouncy supple skin of a 20-30 year old woman.
If you read about the way we age, after 30 is when our skin cell rejuvenation starts to slow down. And although this is a fact most women can still get away with a quick trip to the dermatologist to get a little filler, botox or peels. All these things can usually hold you off until your forties or fifties. After your forties / fifties and for the very few lucky sixties, you will see a great disconnect between your friends and family. Some will still be looking quite fabulous and others look like they have been left out in the desert for years without any sunblock.
Some people are opting for string lifts, thread lift, weekend lifts and mini lifts where the surgeron is just either cutting the excess skin away and tacking it to the ears instead of a true face lift where the surgeon reinforces and redistributes your fat to give the face a more youthfull appearance. The dead give away of these quick fix face liftsis usually bad scarring because all the weight and tension that is put upon the ears resulting in the Mr. Potato Head Look; because the ears are being dragged down and the face was not properly done. A good surgeon spends hours re-attaching and redistributing the skin to your face.
The worst part is that these face lifts only last usually one to two years and cost approximately half the price of a full face lift. Now I know that all the women that thought about getting a face lift would love to think a thread lift is a perfect solution to having no scars but these lifts have been largely discredited by sucessfull prominent doctors due to the fact that you can't control how long each string will hold and how normal of an appearance is achievable. And then, when you finally decide that a full face lift is inevitable, the strings can be hard for your surgeon to remove. Over the years Dr. Hochstein has watched these trendy quick fixes come and go but still no one has come up with a better alternative. We are all waiting for the day when a face lift will not be needed due to stem cell rejuvenation.
So what is a girl to do when fillers and creams are no longer providing the youthfull appearance we desire to see when we look on the mirror? You either go to counceling and try to find acceptance from within or you go to counceling and go find a plastic surgeon (LOL) because you may indeed need both.
Michelle Heavens
If you read about the way we age, after 30 is when our skin cell rejuvenation starts to slow down. And although this is a fact most women can still get away with a quick trip to the dermatologist to get a little filler, botox or peels. All these things can usually hold you off until your forties or fifties. After your forties / fifties and for the very few lucky sixties, you will see a great disconnect between your friends and family. Some will still be looking quite fabulous and others look like they have been left out in the desert for years without any sunblock.
Some people are opting for string lifts, thread lift, weekend lifts and mini lifts where the surgeron is just either cutting the excess skin away and tacking it to the ears instead of a true face lift where the surgeon reinforces and redistributes your fat to give the face a more youthfull appearance. The dead give away of these quick fix face liftsis usually bad scarring because all the weight and tension that is put upon the ears resulting in the Mr. Potato Head Look; because the ears are being dragged down and the face was not properly done. A good surgeon spends hours re-attaching and redistributing the skin to your face.
The worst part is that these face lifts only last usually one to two years and cost approximately half the price of a full face lift. Now I know that all the women that thought about getting a face lift would love to think a thread lift is a perfect solution to having no scars but these lifts have been largely discredited by sucessfull prominent doctors due to the fact that you can't control how long each string will hold and how normal of an appearance is achievable. And then, when you finally decide that a full face lift is inevitable, the strings can be hard for your surgeon to remove. Over the years Dr. Hochstein has watched these trendy quick fixes come and go but still no one has come up with a better alternative. We are all waiting for the day when a face lift will not be needed due to stem cell rejuvenation.
So what is a girl to do when fillers and creams are no longer providing the youthfull appearance we desire to see when we look on the mirror? You either go to counceling and try to find acceptance from within or you go to counceling and go find a plastic surgeon (LOL) because you may indeed need both.
Michelle Heavens
Friday, May 16, 2008
If you gave up hope of ever wearing the little bikini again, I have seen miracles happen after a tummy tuck!
Dr. Hochstein is well known throughout the world for his Breast Augmentations, Breast Lifts, Breast Reductions and Breast Revisions. What most people do not know is that his second most popular surgery is the Tummy Tuck, this is partially due to the fact that women that come into Dr. H's office seeking Breast Lifts due to pregnancy or weight loss will usually need a tummy tuck as well. A breast lift combined with a tummy tuck is an amazing transformation! Patients are usually very satisfied with the joint procedure because it delivers results that could not be achieved by dieting and exercising alone.
Tummy tucks, out of all the procedures performed by a plastic surgeon, can be one of the hardest ones to recover from. This is due the fact that it affects mobility and the amount of time that will take to recover and the post operative care that it demands.
Because abdominoplasty involves the removal of extra abdominal skin and usually the tightening of abdominal muscles you will experience some difficulty standing up straight for a few weeks which can cause strain on the lower back and compromise daily activities, like getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. The tightness will gradually disappear as you heal and progressively use your body muscles for activities to daily living. It is important to make no special attempt to stretch or pull the abdominal strengh during the two first weeks of healing, but it is very important to change your position and walk around the house every few hours to reduce the chance of blood cloths. Dr. Hochstein places one or two drains into the surgical area at the time of surgery, these drains evacuate the fluid that accumulates after surgery and enable you to heal faster. Because you must keep your body at a bent position for the first couple of weeks, sleeping can become difficult at best! We recommend if possible the use of a recliner which can make it not only easier to fall asleep in a V position, but facilitate getting up and down. At our office all details about post operative care are given in written in a pre / post care packet and explained by a registered nurse the day of surgery.
With breast augmentation and other procedures mobility is not so compromised. To make this process easier for the patient, Dr. Hoschstein uses a pain pump to control pain. The pain pump is very effective in reducing the initial pain in the surgical site. Most of our patients are very surprised to find out they have little to no pain coming from the tummy area. The pain pump has an uninterrupted flow of analgesia for up to 6 days, which can greatly reduce the intake of narcotics.
Although the tummy tuck may take a little more time to heal, it is by far the most gratifying procedure. When patients come to this office they know this is a last resort. They have usually tried working out and dieting and are now left with stretched out saggy stomachs that can only be improved by the skillful hands of a plastic surgeon. So you have two choices, either run around complaining about your saggy tummy and hiding it with couture tunics... or give yourself a break, stop starving and have a tummy tuck.
Tummy tucks, out of all the procedures performed by a plastic surgeon, can be one of the hardest ones to recover from. This is due the fact that it affects mobility and the amount of time that will take to recover and the post operative care that it demands.
Because abdominoplasty involves the removal of extra abdominal skin and usually the tightening of abdominal muscles you will experience some difficulty standing up straight for a few weeks which can cause strain on the lower back and compromise daily activities, like getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. The tightness will gradually disappear as you heal and progressively use your body muscles for activities to daily living. It is important to make no special attempt to stretch or pull the abdominal strengh during the two first weeks of healing, but it is very important to change your position and walk around the house every few hours to reduce the chance of blood cloths. Dr. Hochstein places one or two drains into the surgical area at the time of surgery, these drains evacuate the fluid that accumulates after surgery and enable you to heal faster. Because you must keep your body at a bent position for the first couple of weeks, sleeping can become difficult at best! We recommend if possible the use of a recliner which can make it not only easier to fall asleep in a V position, but facilitate getting up and down. At our office all details about post operative care are given in written in a pre / post care packet and explained by a registered nurse the day of surgery.
With breast augmentation and other procedures mobility is not so compromised. To make this process easier for the patient, Dr. Hoschstein uses a pain pump to control pain. The pain pump is very effective in reducing the initial pain in the surgical site. Most of our patients are very surprised to find out they have little to no pain coming from the tummy area. The pain pump has an uninterrupted flow of analgesia for up to 6 days, which can greatly reduce the intake of narcotics.
Although the tummy tuck may take a little more time to heal, it is by far the most gratifying procedure. When patients come to this office they know this is a last resort. They have usually tried working out and dieting and are now left with stretched out saggy stomachs that can only be improved by the skillful hands of a plastic surgeon. So you have two choices, either run around complaining about your saggy tummy and hiding it with couture tunics... or give yourself a break, stop starving and have a tummy tuck.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Interesting read about Cosmetic Surgery
Huge Numbers Want Cosmetic Surgery, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Oct. 28, 2007) — Most women, and large numbers of men, are interested in having cosmetic surgery, UCLA scientists report in the October issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Forty-eight percent of women surveyed said they would be interested in cosmetic surgery, liposuction or both, and another 23 percent said they would possibly be interested.
Among men, 23 percent said they would be interested in surgery, with 17 percent expressing possible interest.
"Interest in cosmetic surgery is far more widespread than we had anticipated," said David Frederick, a UCLA psychology graduate student and lead author of the study. "The majority of women expressed some interest in cosmetic surgery, and more than one-third of men expressed some degree of interest, which I found really surprising. We know there is tremendous pressure for women to be thin and have a certain appearance and for men to be fit and muscular, but I would not have guessed that so many people would be interested in surgical body alteration."
In addition, 21 percent of women and 11 percent of men described themselves as unattractive, and 31 percent of women and 16 percent of men reported feeling so uncomfortable in a swimsuit that they avoid wearing one in public, Frederick and his colleagues reported.
"There is so much pressure, especially on women, to be thin and beautiful and to look younger," Frederick said. "Many people are willing to pay thousands of dollars to permanently alter their bodies surgically. The interest in cosmetic surgery is widespread across the full life span. Especially for women, there never seems to be a reprieve. Your appearance is judged to be an important part of who you are."
Frederick was surprised to find no relation between people's body image and their interest in cosmetic surgery -- even those without a poor body image expressed interest in surgical alteration.
"This isn't about poor body image," Frederick said. "People interested in cosmetic surgery did not report less satisfaction with their body or face than people who are not interested. People interested in liposuction, however, did report lower body satisfaction, even when statistically controlling for body weight."
According to the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2006 -- a 48 percent increase from 2000. Roughly 90 percent of cosmetic surgeries in 2004 were performed on women.
For the study, UCLA researchers analyzed the responses of more than 52,000 people -- ranging in age from 18 to 65, with an average age in the mid-30s -- to an online survey conducted by MSNBC.com and Elle.com in 2003.
Co-authors on the study were Janet Lever, professor of sociology at California State University, Los Angeles; and Letitia Anne Peplau, UCLA professor of psychology.
Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Los Angeles.
ScienceDaily (Oct. 28, 2007) — Most women, and large numbers of men, are interested in having cosmetic surgery, UCLA scientists report in the October issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Forty-eight percent of women surveyed said they would be interested in cosmetic surgery, liposuction or both, and another 23 percent said they would possibly be interested.
Among men, 23 percent said they would be interested in surgery, with 17 percent expressing possible interest.
"Interest in cosmetic surgery is far more widespread than we had anticipated," said David Frederick, a UCLA psychology graduate student and lead author of the study. "The majority of women expressed some interest in cosmetic surgery, and more than one-third of men expressed some degree of interest, which I found really surprising. We know there is tremendous pressure for women to be thin and have a certain appearance and for men to be fit and muscular, but I would not have guessed that so many people would be interested in surgical body alteration."
In addition, 21 percent of women and 11 percent of men described themselves as unattractive, and 31 percent of women and 16 percent of men reported feeling so uncomfortable in a swimsuit that they avoid wearing one in public, Frederick and his colleagues reported.
"There is so much pressure, especially on women, to be thin and beautiful and to look younger," Frederick said. "Many people are willing to pay thousands of dollars to permanently alter their bodies surgically. The interest in cosmetic surgery is widespread across the full life span. Especially for women, there never seems to be a reprieve. Your appearance is judged to be an important part of who you are."
Frederick was surprised to find no relation between people's body image and their interest in cosmetic surgery -- even those without a poor body image expressed interest in surgical alteration.
"This isn't about poor body image," Frederick said. "People interested in cosmetic surgery did not report less satisfaction with their body or face than people who are not interested. People interested in liposuction, however, did report lower body satisfaction, even when statistically controlling for body weight."
According to the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2006 -- a 48 percent increase from 2000. Roughly 90 percent of cosmetic surgeries in 2004 were performed on women.
For the study, UCLA researchers analyzed the responses of more than 52,000 people -- ranging in age from 18 to 65, with an average age in the mid-30s -- to an online survey conducted by MSNBC.com and Elle.com in 2003.
Co-authors on the study were Janet Lever, professor of sociology at California State University, Los Angeles; and Letitia Anne Peplau, UCLA professor of psychology.
Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Los Angeles.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Heel Appeal!
From the Editors at Netscape
Call it heel appeal. Women who wear high heels may give their sex life a boost, and it has nothing to do with the effect these sexy shoes have on men and their libido.
Italian urologist Dr. Maria Cerruto of the University of Verona has concluded that walking in higher heels--and they don't have to be stilettos--gives a workout to the pelvic floor muscles, the pleasure muscles that are linked to orgasm.
This may be the first scientific study to show high heels are good for a woman's health. Previous research has shown such shoes can give women everything from stress fractures to schizophrenia, not to mention corns and sore feet.Editor's Picks: Steve Madden Pumps -- Nine West Slingbacks
The BBC News and London's Daily Mail report that Cerruto's study of 66 women under age 50 found that those who held their foot at a 15-degree angle to the ground, which is the same effect as a two-inch heel, had posture that was just as good as those who wore flat shoes. But these women also showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles, which indicates those muscles were at an optimum position. Cerruto maintains this could improve the strength and ability of the pelvic muscles to contract. These muscles assist sexual performance and satisfaction, as well as provide vital support to the pelvic organs, which include the bladder, bowels and uterus. Editor's Picks: Guess Footwear -- Bandolino ShoesPregnancy and childbirth, as well as aging, can weaken the pelvic muscles. Exercises help, but Cerruto theorizes that wearing two-inch high heels may be enough to eliminate the need for those exercises. "Women often have difficulty in carrying out the right exercises for the pelvic zone and wearing heels could be the solution," she told the BBC. "Like many women, I like high-heeled shoes. It's good to know they have potential health benefits."
But moderation counts! Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik told The Daily Mail, "I think there's a limit, though. Anything over four-and-a-half inches is just too much. You can't walk properly; it's no longer elegant."
The study was published as a letter in the journal European Urology.
2008 Comeback Stories: Silicone is back in
2008 Comeback Stories: Silicone is back in
by Tracy Coenen Mar 4th 2008 @ 4:15PM
This post is part of our series on people, places and things that have found new life in 2008.
Silicone breast implants, after falling into disfavor in the early 90's on claims that they caused various diseases including cancer, are back. In their latest incarnation, a safer fourth-generation "gummybear' silicon material, they are expected to grow to a $620 million product by 2012.Plastic surgery has never been more popular, thanks to television shows like Extreme Makeover and Dr. 90210. Led by the creepy Dr. Robert Rey, the show Dr. 90210 shows young men and women that they can look however they want with just a cut of the knife and a few nauseating comments from the doctor about how gorgeous their boobs are.One of the most popular plastic surgery procedures is undoubtedly breast implants. In late 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved silicone gel implants, deeming them safe and effective. Although silicone had been accused of causing certain medical problems/symptoms in the past, doctors using the implants now say that they are safe. Women who get silicone breast implants no longer just get an increased size. They get a product that now feels more natural than ever. And silicone implants aren't just for your boobs anymore. They can be used all over your body: from cheeks to lips to butts. Depending upon which body part the implant is used for, its consistency may be a little different to give it the most natural look possible. Aren't you glad that you can now sculpt your body using silicone practically anywhere?
by Tracy Coenen Mar 4th 2008 @ 4:15PM
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
THE DUCK AND THE DOG!
TOO CUTE - SPEAKERS ON J
This is precious!!! The music makes it.
http://www.sonnyradio.com/duckanddog.html
This is precious!!! The music makes it.
http://www.sonnyradio.com/duckanddog.html
Thursday, January 17, 2008
2008 - New Beginnings!
How wonderful it is that every year, January first comes along and we all get to start all over again. It's like getting another chance! All the promises that were left broken are removed from New Year's List and just like us, these promises too get another chance!
Even though I am writing this a little late in the month, I don't want us to lose faith or site of our goals. I have chosen to hang my list on the refrigerator so every morning when I go for my protein shake :) I face the long list of my pending wishes that I have committed to make happen. So far although my work out sessions have started to dwindle a bit I am still working on the mental side of it. Mentally I have arranged for tennis lessons, yoga classes and I have even gone so far as to put the cards into my wallet. I have not yet made the call but I am one step closer to at least two goals on my list. Isn't it said that accomplishments are achieved one step at a time! LOL
I have also logged on to Plumtv.com where they post a calendar with all local events. And although I have not actually gone to any of them just knowing that they are available at the convenience of a button, makes me feel better!
It all begins with a thought and hopefully our goals will become actions in 2008!
One of my goals this year was to travel and get to know the beautiful historic side of our country. I was raised on the west coast where I had the pleasure to see the whole coast line of California, which was absolutely beautiful! Now I have been living on the east coast for the past 6 years and haven't seemed to make it out of Miami! So this year, I was determined to change this and my first east coast adventure will be a road trip travelling from Miami to Savannah, GA. Over the years I have heard nothing but wonderful stories about the old world charm of Savannah, mixing in the hospitality from the South and a touch of French influence from colonial times. And although this may take me away a little from my weigh loss goals, I am travelling with hopeful taste buds! I am taking along my faithful companion, my Puppy Guppy and a good friend. With a little luck I will meet a Southern Gentleman and then I will be two steps forward and only one step backwards into my list.
Don't lose site of your goals. Post them wherever you know you will see them everyday and start by taking baby steps, even if it is only putting the cards in your pocket or marking a page in a calendar. Remember always that accomplishments are achieved one step at a time. Good luck and happy new year!
Michelle Heavens
Never Say Diet! By Chantel Hobbs
You will find straight talk on developing the determination, commitment, and personal responsibility it takes to achieve weight loss that lasts.
It's time to stop getting ready for the event and start getting ready for life!
Chantel Hobbs is one of the most inspirational people I have had the pleasure to call my friend. Her book is a good read for anyone wanting to change their life for the better!
Celeb Weight Loss
Need diet inspiration? Steal the slim-down secrets of Katherine Heigl, Katie Holmes and more by clicking through this gallery of hot celebs who've trimmed down.
Will Their Diets Work For You?
Need diet inspiration? Steal the slim-down secrets of Katherine Heigl, Katie Holmes and more by clicking through this gallery of hot celebs who've trimmed down.
Will Their Diets Work For You?
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