Sientra joins the market as the third company to offer the controversial products in the U.S., next to Johnson & Johnson and Allergan, Inc.

Santa Barbara, California-based Sientra won approval by the FDA to market its implants for breast enhancement and reconstruction in women at least 22 years old. In addition to round implants, which are offered by its competitors, Sientra will offer implants in multiple shapes and sizes for use in other parts of the body, such as the cheeks and buttocks.

"While we have not implemented Sientra into our product offerings, we have been using Silimed buttock and pectoral implants, which is a portfolio of Sientra brand, for years with no problems," said Dr. Shain Cuber, an NJ breast implants specialist. "As soon as we receive all the proper information and speak with a rep, we should be able to offer Sientra in our office."

The FDA's long-standing battle with silicone gel implants began in 1992, when the agency banned the products after research showed the product may cause cancer, lupus and other diseases. After further investigations, it was found that most of the diseases in concern were not linked to silicone gel and therefore returned the products to the market in 2006.

Most women generally prefer silicone implants because they look and feel more like natural breast tissue compared to augmented breasts. While research has shown they have a possibility of rupture with a need for replacement, there are rupture and scar tissue problems with saline-filled implants, as well.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons claims that more than 307,000 breast implants were given in the United States in 2011. This is a 3.6 percent increase from 2010.

"Getting breast implants is an experience that we can now personalize, as the duopoly has been broken," said the breast reduction professional. "Patients will now have more options, which means I, as a plastic surgeon, can tailor the implants to the patient's breast anatomy and body type, which will give them better results."

© 2012 Master Google and Associates in Plastic Surgery. Authorization is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, a company that uses SEO marketing strategies, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery is used to fix a deformed, non-functional or injured body part or facial feature and reconstruct it to make it seem normal in appearance and function.

Reconstructive surgery can be necessary due to:

• Developmental abnormalities
• Birth defects
• Trauma
• Tumors and disease

The plastic surgeon's aim is to help improve function, make a deformity appear normal or alleviate health complications associated with the abnormality. Because reconstructive surgery is deemed as medically necessary - helping the patient live a more normal life - it is often covered by health insurance.

Common surgeries include:

• Breast reductions to treat abnormally large busts and relieve patients of chronic head, neck, back and shoulder pain.
• cn for women who have undergone a mastectomy.
• Nose surgery to correct breathing problems, deformities caused by abnormal nasal growth or birth defect, and irregularities caused by trauma.
• Surgery of the feet or hands to correct webbed fingers or toes or alleviate pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• Skin grafts for people who have been badly wounded or cut.
• Facial surgeries to restore a cleft lip and palate or correct eye deformities.

Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is typically performed to improve your appearance and is not necessary due to a deformity or health issue. These types of surgeries are done to enhance the physical appearance and self-confidence of the patient. These are elective procedures and are almost never covered by insurance companies.

Examples of cosmetic surgeries include:

• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck
• Laser hair removal
• Rhinoplasty- or nose surgery- to improve the appearance of the nose, not its function
• Breast implants
• Injectable fillers to fight the signs of aging
• Facial surgeries such as facelift, brow lift or cheek lift

"There are some gray areas as to whether or not certain procedures fall under the category of cosmetic or reconstructive," said Dr. Andrew Miller, a Rhinoplasty specialist in NJ. "It all depends on the reason for the surgery and the type of insurance you have. It is advised to speak with your insurance company before undergoing any procedure."

Overall, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries are very similar. The broad umbrella of plastic surgery is about reshaping tissues to create a fully functional result, which includes an improved appearance, as looking young and beautiful is part of the function of the body.

The skill set of the plastic surgeon that you visit should correspond to the board they are certified by, for example:

• The American Board of Plastic Surgery: certifies the physician in plastic surgery of the entire body, including the face, neck and full body, including breast enhancements, facelifts and liposuction.
• The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: certifies physicians in the field of facial plastics and reconstructive surgery. Specifically related to surgery of the face, head and neck, such as rhinoplasty and facelifts.
• The American Board of Otolaryngology: certifies the physician in the specialty of head and neck surgery, plastic surgery within the head and neck and otolaryngology.

"There are some doctors that claim to be board certified plastic surgeons, but really all they have is their medical degree and no further training," said Dr. Miller. "Always ask for before and after photos and know that there is never a bad question to ask. All surgeries come with some risk, so it's important to ensure you are in the most qualified hands."

© 2012 Master Google and Associates in Plastic Surgery. Authorization is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, a company that uses white hat SEO tactics, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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According to a study released last month by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, cosmetic surgery procedures rose almost one percent for a total of 1.6 million procedures in 2011. Cosmetic minimally invasive procedures performed decreased almost two percent, with more than 7.5 million procedures in 2011 (http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/celebrating-15-years-of-trustworthy-plastic-surgery-statistics).

Top five surgical procedures were:

• Liposuction
• Breast augmentation
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Eyelid surgery
• Breast lift

Top five non-surgical procedures were:

• Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox)
• Hyaluronic acid (wrinkle treatment)
• Laser hair removal
• Microdermabrasion
• IPL laser treatment (for treatment of skin irregularities)

The ASAPS has been collecting procedural statistics from plastic surgeons since 1997 and the overall number of procedures has increased 197 percent since the statistics first began.

"I think the steady increase in the number of people having surgical and non-surgical procedures performed has a lot to do with the amount of confidence people have in plastic surgery today," said Dr. Shain Cuber, a board-certified NJ plastic surgeon, who performs liposuction in his New Jersey and New York offices.

In today's society, people want to stay looking younger, especially in the workplace, which people are staying in for longer. They want to be able to compete with their younger counterparts for the same position while not giving away their age in their face, said Dr. Cuber.

Another reason people are undergoing such procedures is because of the recent introduction of CareCredit's financing option, which allows people to pay off their body alterations over a period of time.

"We are happy to see people who once thought plastic surgery was out of their reach, come into our office and have their dream surgeries performed," said Dr. Cuber. "And the numbers don't lie, plastic surgery is here to stay."

© 2012 Master Google and Associates in Plastic Surgery. Authorization is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, a company that specializes in writing SEO blog content for clients, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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Wrinkle fillers are the non-surgical solution for patients who are looking to reverse the effects of aging. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, injectable fillers are substances that are injected into the skin through small needles to fill or plump out fine lines and wrinkles (Link). In addition to injectable fillers, chemical peels can also reduce wrinkles in the face.

"Anti-wrinkle treatments are a popular non-surgical choice, as there is virtually no recovery time after treatment," said Dr. Andrew Miller, an NJ rhinoplasty expert. "There are a number of treatment options available to patients, so it advised to speak with a professional to decide which treatment would suit you best."

Types of Wrinkle Reducers and Fillers

• Chemical Peels: A chemical peel, also called chemexfoliation or derma peeling, is one of the latest ways to improve the appearance of your skin. A chemical solution is applied to the face, neck or hands, which causes it to blister and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother, more even in color and less wrinkled than the old skin.
• Laser Treatments: For patients who would like to achieve a balance between how they look and how they feel, laser skin resurfacing may be the best option. Laser treatments using instruments such as the Fraxel laser can smooth and soften fine lines and wrinkles and even reduce the appearance of acne scars without the use of staples or needles.
• Botox, also known as Botulinum Toxin A: Botox is used for lines on the brows, forehead and around the eyes, which are caused by muscle movements. In small doses, Botox is used to temporarily paralyze hyperactive muscles that produce deep wrinkles. Its effects can last up to four months.
• Collagen: Collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in various parts of the body, including your skin. This injectable is used to treat very fine, superficial lines in the skin that other fillers cannot. Collagen injectables are derived from cow or human tissue and temporarily restore elasticity in the skin, but repeat treatments will be necessary once its affects subside.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin and is not derived from animal sources. There are several brand names that are hyaluronic products, such as Restylane or Juvederm. When the gel is injected, it acts like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that have lost volume or elasticity. The effects of this injectable can last anywhere from four months to eight months.
• Hydroxyapatite: Hydroxyapatite is not a protein, but rather a mineral, similar in the composition to the substance found in bones. This injectable gel has more bulk than others, which is why it is used to fill deep furrows, scars and wrinkles. The result of this injectable can last up to one year and can be used to make the chin and cheeks appear fuller when implants are not wanted.
• Polylactic Acid (Sculptra): This filler was developed to help your own body fill the lines and wrinkles that develop over time. Polylactic acid is an injectable material containing Poly-L-lactic acid that helps lift and smooth deep lines and wrinkles. This filler stimulates the production of the body's own collagen and are absorbed slowly and naturally. Results can last up to two years.
• Fat transfer: Fat is harvested from other parts of the body -- the outer hips, thighs, belly or love handles - and is cleaned and purified so that it contains only whole fat cells. The clean, purified fat is injected into trouble areas and can be stored in the freezer so the patient can return for more fat injection treatments throughout the year to build up a long-lasting result.

"Most procedures can be done on the day of consultation," said Dr. Miller who is an NJ liposuction specialist. "After a numbing injection is applied, the injection is carried out. Some swelling will occur for less than a day. There can be some minor bruising, which can be covered well with makeup."

To decide which filler or treatment is right for you, it is advised to do your research and speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

© 2012 Master Google and Associates in Plastic Surgery. Authorization is granted, with the stipulation that Master Google, a search engine optimization firm, is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this press release is strictly prohibited with the exception of herein imbedded links.

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