What You Need to Know About Giving Cosmetic Surgery as a Gift

Are you sick and tired of giving the same, run-off-the-mill gifts to your spouse, parents, sibling, or friend during special occasions? You can only give so much material things that only take up space in the house. Well, fret no more. Happiness is the best gift anyone can give and here’s a gift idea that will bring a smile across their faces and yours as well – the chance to boost your confidence with your appearance with cosmetic surgery.

Increasing Popularity

It may be a strange gift to a loved one, but cosmetic surgery as a present is not a novel idea at all. In fact, over the past two years in the United States, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have noticed that more and more people have been giving plastic surgery as a gift, especially during the holiday season. Cosmetic surgery is a major splurge, making it an easy addition to a gift wish list. 

In fact, cosmetic surgery procedures are a common gift during Christmas time, not only because it is a great holiday gift, but also because the patients would have ample time to get the procedure and still have enough time to rest and recuperate. In the same vein, patients would be able to attend parties and get-togethers and welcome the new year with a new look.

And it may come as no surprise that rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery come out as two of the most popular of these cosmetic procedures. These two cosmetic procedures done on considerably minor parts of face can actually create a significant change in how a patient will look like even with just a minor tweak.

Advantages of Giving Cosmetic Surgery as a Gift

One advantage of giving such surgical procedures as a gift is that it can be claimed anytime, although it is also subject to the terms and conditions of the surgeon or the clinic which offers these surgical procedures. Therefore, clients will have the luxury of choosing when they are ready undergo the procedure.

Another advantage is that the recipient will always remember the gift you gave them. However, it is extremely vital that you only choose a reputable surgeon when you consider giving cosmetic surgery as a gift. After all, you only want to give the best to your loved ones. And for sure, your loved ones will love you more after the successful procedure.You would not want to be that person who gave a friend or a special someone a cosmetic procedure for a gift but with disastrous results, right?

Also, while it is a nice gift, it will still be up to the surgeon to assess whether the patient is qualified to undergo the surgery. Dr. Barry Weintraub of New York’s 5th Avenue Cosmetic Plastic Surgery says that regardless of who will foot the bill, he still needs to assess and evaluate the candidates before they undergo rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery.

A Few Other Considerations

Apart from the ever important consideration of selecting a credible and board-certified cosmetic surgeon, here are a few things to consider prior to getting your family and friends a cosmetic surgery gift card.

1. Would the recipient appreciate your gesture or be offended by it?

Getting cosmetic surgery as a gift is a touchy matter. That is why it is important that you ensure that the person you are giving it to really wants to get the surgery done. Know beforehand whether the person desires to have his or her nose improved or upper eyelids enhanced.

2. Would this procedure be appropriate for the patient? Will it contradict with the present condition or medication currently taken by the patient?

Not everyone will immediately be considered a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. Certain conditions and medications may prevent some patients from getting the procedure done. While most can be addressed through interventions, this may take cause a delay in your loved one from getting procedure when they want it.

3. Is the recipient of legal age?

According to the 2013 Plastic Surgery Report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 14% of rhinoplasty procedures were performed among patients in the 13-19 years old age range. However, it is important for you to understand that the nose and the eyelids will still continue to change in its structure until around 18 to 20 years old. Only then, procedures like rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery is recommended, unless when performed due to medical reasons and not because of cosmetic needs.

4. Do you and the patient understand the risks involved in the procedure?

While you might think that a rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery are relatively minor surgeries, the fact is that it is still a surgical procedure and highly invasive at that. This means that it involves serious risks, complications and side effects. Regardless of the expertise and experience of your chosen surgeon, you cannot discount this very nature of any surgical procedure. It is then very important that you consider the safety and well-being of your loved one by making sure that they understand everything that is involved with the procedure.

5. Is the plastic surgeon from whom you will be seeking these services duly licensed, trained, and experienced?

Remember, you are giving this very serious gift to a loved one. You do not want to put them and their safety in the hands of an inexperienced and incompetent surgeon. Get the services of a cosmetic surgeon who has a wide experience specifically in performing rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery. Make sure that they have a long list of successful clientele and have a low revision surgery rate. It is best to choose the services of a surgeon who is board certified by either the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery.

6. Did you consider quality of work over discount prices?

Cosmetic surgery as a gift is not one that you skimp price on. Be wary of overly low cosmetic surgery packages, promos or discounts. Be cautious with advertising price cuts, as this can also mean a cut in the quality of work. Make sure that you get a reasonably priced service that is not too low from the other clinics. Instead, you can look out for clinics who offer financing options for you to choose from in the manner of your payment for the cosmetic surgery gift.

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then go ahead and give us a call today at Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery. Our specialist, Dr. Andrew Kim is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has had a wide experience in performing rhinoplasty and double eyeid surgery. We have clinics in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. If you are sold on giving cosmetic surgery as a gift to your loved one, call us now or fill-out our inquiry form today!

Trending Selfies and the Rise in Cosmetic Surgery

“Selfie” – a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website. (Oxford Dictionary)

It is undeniable, we are now living in the generation of selfies – where self-love, admiration and vanity is revered. And we do not need statistics to prove that the selfie craze is unquestionably on the rise. All you need is to look at your favorite Hollywood celebrity or friend’s social media accounts, even yours, chances are you are bound to find at least one selfie. And who could ever forget the star-studdedOscar selfie, which got a reported 2.4 million retweets and 32.8 million view just hours after it was posted online.

Image source: http://nydailynews.com/

Selfies Sparks Cosmetic Surgery Requests

But what is astounding is that the selfie trend has made a significant in the cosmetic surgery industry. In a press release of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) last March 2014, they conducted a study among its 2,700 members, which revealed that “one in three facial plastic surgeons surveyed saw an increase in requests for procedures due to patients being more self aware of looks in social media.” This observation also revealed that the top procedures requested are rhinoplasty and Botox.

Dr. Edward Farrior, President of the AAFPRS, said that, “Social platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and the iPhone app Selfie.im, which are solely image based, force patients to hold a microscope up to their own image and often look at it with a more self-critical eye than ever before.” This trend has reflected a 10% increase in rhinoplasty, 7% increase in hair transplants and 6% in double eyelid surgery in 2013.

Women, Men and the Young Generation

Also in the said study, it reflected a remarkable difference in the preference of the procedures requested between women and men. Without a doubt, facial plastic surgery is still dominated by women accounting for 81% of the total procedures in 2013. And in a surprising data, mothers make-up about two-thirds of the number of women getting a surgical or non-surgical procedure.

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It has been observed that most women request for facelifts, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty or double eyelid surgery and ablative skin resurfacing. Men, on the other hand, mostly requested for Botox, dermal fillers, hair transplant and rhinoplasty.

Interestingly, the study revealed that the selfie trend has resulted to an increase in facial cosmetic procedures among the younger generation. This is shown in the 2013 data that 58% of the surveyed facial plastic surgeon observed an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectibles among patients under the age of 30. The study also associated the role of social media in a teen’s life and self-esteem.

The constant desire to look better in the selfie has somehow contributed and encouraged younger generation to change their looks. In fact, in its detailed report, patients under the age of 21 consist 22% of the total patients who got rhinoplasty in 2013. That is almost one-fourth of the total data.

Image source: www.huffingtonpost.com

A Global Phenomenon

And certainly, this effect of the selfie craze is a global phenomenon. Marco Pacifico of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons said in a MetroUK article that, “The trend was equally noticeable here, where the young people felt under ‘incessant pressure’ to be perfect, comparing themselves to digitally enhanced photos of others.” Also Dr. Leah Totton, The Apprentice winner, also validated this by saying that, “Due to increased social networking, we now have unlimited access to the appearance of other, including celebrities.”

This latest reveal has sparked controversies and even concern among cosmetic surgery experts. This is because it creates unrealistic expectations and interpretation of beauty. Cosmetic surgery strives to achieve balance and harmony of the entire facial features and is not about achieving perfection or copying somebody else’s unique features.

The Perfect Selfie

There is a running gag that for every one good selfie, there are 47 other failed ones. If you are a selfie-addict, you will know that it takes the right angle, lighting and even a couple of editing and image filters to get that right self-portrait. But there are some who gone out of their to look good in any angle and lighting without the need for digital touch-ups by getting a couple of nip and tuck done.

This is exactly what Los Angeles talent manager Triana Lavey did. In 2012, Lavey spent a total of $50,000 on cosmetic procedures to achieve the perfect Instagram selfie. Her obsession with her appearance prompted when she showed dissatisfaction on how she looked in her Facebook and Instagram photos, and further saying that it is her “weak chin” that is her main concern. When social media sites were not yet popular, she did not care with how she looked. She had a chin implant, nose job, Botox and fat-defining cheek implants.

Image source: http://gistville.com/

With deep satisfaction, she related in an interview with ABCs Nightline that, “I now have the face that I always thought that I had. I look like myself, but Photoshopped.”

And this selfie-obsessed woman is making a name in the business of helping social media stars make tons of money by incorporating big brand names in their self-portraits. She is part of a public relations firm that focuses on representing, developing and managing social media personalities, especially in Youtube, named uFluencer Group. In an E!News article, Lavey said that, “Today, this business is moving at the speed of the Internet. Your selfie is your headshot so you can reinvent yourself everyday with your iPhone. It is a legitimate form of promoting yourself.”

Image source: http://onlystuff.eu/

She said that all of her clients have already perfected how to pose for that ideal and flawless selfie. She even shared that the ideal pose is to achieve for a pose that is fun and organic that exudes and shows their unique personality. And for her talents, this should be completed with the sincere expression of looking interested in the product that they are promoting.

Among the clients include Youtube celebrities like Alphacat, ItsJudyTime, Sam Pottoroff, NGuerriero19 and EleventhGorgeous. All of which have already garnered more than a million subscribers.

However, Lavey said that she does not believe that others should also undergo cosmetic surgery just to look good in selfies even if she had done it herself. She further said that all it needs is for them to feel confident in front of the camera.

She shared that she will not be getting any more surgical cosmetic procedures. However, she is still getting regular Botox injections to make sure that she looks her best. She even went on to say that, “Not everyone is born beautiful. And if you can get a little help from a nip-tuck, then more power to you.”

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Cosmetic surgery can certainly make a significant impact in giving a boost in confidence by enhancing your natural appearance. But, you should never forget to make certain that you have realistic expectations. This greatly helps in achieving desirable results that are successful and natural-looking.

Choosing a credible and experienced cosmetic surgeon can even further boost your desired results. If you are in Australia, you can trust Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim of Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery will guide you throughout the process to give you really amazing results. Dr. Kim specializes in rhinoplasty and doubleeyelid surgery and is known for his impeccable eye for aesthetic detail and proven technical skills.

To schedule your free consultation with Dr. Kim, call us now!

The Importance of Your Rhinoplasty Consultation

We all know for a fact that when you seek out a surgical cosmetic procedure, like a rhinoplasty, you just do not simply go in the operating room to have your nose reshaped done. It is a long and thorough process that begins inside the consultation room. It cannot be over emphasized how important it is that you give your full attention during your discussion with the doctor. The consultation, after all, is the most important meeting that you will have with your surgeon.

Image source: http://www.nbcnews.com/

In fact for certain cases, it can even involve multiple consultations with the doctor before the actual procedure will be carried out. Just with any other surgical procedure, rhinoplasty carries potential health risks and can have an effect on your self-esteem. That is why a medical consultation with your surgeon should never be underestimated as simply “just” a part of the process you are obligated to go through.

Complete Medical History

One of the basic things that will be covered during your consultation is for your surgeon to take a look at your medical history. This will help your surgeon assess whether you are a suitable candidate for a nose job. If you are in poor health condition, prone to poor wound healing and have immune system disorders, it is always best to be honest about these during your consultation.

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Your surgeon needs to get accurate and detailed information about your medical history. And there is no better way to do this than to openly and candidly discuss these with your doctor. Some may recommend additional treatments to boost your immune system before any procedure will be done, or the procedure will be disregarded totally and an alternative treatment may be suggested. It is important to remember that getting a cosmetic surgery is not a joke, risks will be minimized drastically if you are open about any existing conditions that you initially have.

Realistic Expectations

Having a realistic expectation of the outcome is crucial in determining the success of your procedure, as well as helps guarantee that you will be happy with the result.  The consultation session allows you to discuss this with your doctor, who will be able to determine whether your goals are realistic and discuss with you the approaches on how best to achieve them.

You may even bring with you photographs of individuals who you think have good noses as reference to help you decide what you want. However, it is best to realize that cosmetic surgeries are performed to enhance your natural features. It is not done to duplicate another person’s features. Also you have to understand that while the outcome of your procedure may result to a dramatic impact in your life, it is not a solution to your life’s problems. That is why it is important that you consult a specialist that understands this valuable premise that cosmetic procedure like a rhinoplasty is not about achieving perfection. But rather, it is about attaining balance in consonance with your overall features to give your esteem a much needed boost.

Image source: http://www.lydiasarfati.com/

During your consultation, ask your doctor for a digital imaging of your expected outcome and the full range of possible results based on your expectations and the surgeon’s recommendation. While the imaging may not exactly match the results, it will be helpful to provide you with an idea how you will look like after you have completely healed from the procedure.

Procedure Overview and Personalized Treatment

A detailed discussion of your personalized treatment will also be discussed during your consultation. No two procedures are the same. Each individual’s treatment is as unique as your own fingerprint, or in this case your nose. The technique and approach may be the same, but the manner in which the procedure will be performed will vary from person to person.

Your doctor will provide you with a general overview on how the procedure will be performed, as well as discuss with you the preoperative preparation and postoperative care instructions. This is the time that you should be all ears and listen intently as the doctor discuss these things with you. The consultation should cover areas from the surgery preparation, the details of your procedure (anesthesia, approach, type of nose implant and length of procedure among many others) and the postoperative recovery.

Potential Risks

We have mentioned earlier that no matter how experienced the surgeon is in performing a procedure, the possibility of risks and complications cannot be totally avoided. That is why the consultation session is also the best time for your doctor to discuss this issue with you. A credible doctor will discuss this openly with you to let you in on the dangers of the procedure, which can include healing problems if postoperative care is not strictly followed.

Planning the Operation

After taking a detailed look into your medical history and your personalized treatment, a schedule plan of your operation will also be discussed during your consultation. Take it as if you are planning a very special occasion. More often than not, patients fail to realize this aspect in a surgical procedure. So during your consultation, inform your doctor of any scheduled trips or business meetings so that it can be properly considered and integrated into your surgery schedule. Remember, a rhinoplasty operation does not just involve the surgery day itself, it will continue on until you have completely healed, which can take several months.

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Ask Questions

You should also take note that the consultation is not just about the doctor talking all throughout the session. Never hesitate to ask questions or voice out your concerns about your treatment. If there are terms that you are unfamiliar about or have trouble understanding, ask your doctor to clarify it for you in simple terms that will make it easier for you to understand.

It is best that before you go in the doctor’s clinic for a consultation that you do your own advanced research. Read up on rhinoplastyFAQs to help you to understand what your doctor will be talking about. You can even list down possible questions based on your research and ask them during your consultation. Here are a few basic questions you may need to ask your doctor during consultation.

• How experienced are you with performing rhinoplasty?
• Are you a board-certified cosmetic surgeon? Are you a member of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery?
• What is your success rate?
• What can I expect from the procedure?
• What approach is best for my case, closed or open approach?
• What type of implants will be used? What are the differences between Silicone, GoreTex and nasal grafts?
• What are the risks of the procedure?
• How much will the procedure cost me?
• What does your quote include and exclude?
• Do you have financing options?
• Do you provide aftercare services? If so, for how long?

Also, this is the best time for you to ask for before and after photos of past patients. You can even ask your doctor of any testimonials or case studies of procedures he has done in the past for you to read. Never hesitate to ask for these information, a trustworthy surgeon will never hesitate to provide these to you.

Decision-making and Consent

Making that ultimate decision to proceed with your rhinoplasty can be effectively carried out with the advice of your doctor, which can happen in the consultation room. From there, you can give an informed consent to your surgeon that you are ready to proceed with the procedure. Remember though that you are not required to make a decision and give your consent immediately after a consultation. A good surgeon will give you enough time to process the information and really think whether you will push through with your rhinoplasty or not. Raise your redflag when a doctor coerces you to make a hasty decision immediately after a consultation.

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If you have further clarifications, you can always seek out a second consultation to discuss any questions that you have in mind.

At Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim gives high importance in the consultation process of a rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Kim is thorough in making sure that are all areas are covered and provide you with all the information that you will need. Also, he solicits questions and clarifications from his patients to ensure that they will be able to make an informed decision.

To book your free consultation with Dr. Kim, visit our clinics at Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney or call us now to schedule!

  

The Truth Behind The Top 10 Nose Job Myths

Undeniably, rhinoplasty or nose job is clearly among the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures. According to the 2012 Statistics Report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as well as the 2012 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, shows that the procedure on the central feature of the face is included in the list of top 5 cosmetic procedures for that year. However, despite its popularity, there are still misconceptions and even misunderstandings regarding rhinoplasty. This has caused apprehensions on quite a few people who are highly considering getting the procedure done. If you are one of those people who are unsure whether or not to believe those nose job myths, let us shed light and give you the facts straight out on some of the misguided rhinoplasty facts.

Myth 1: It Is A Quick and Simple Procedure.

Contrary to popular belief, rhinoplasty is not as simple as cutting through the nose, shaving of a bump and inserting an implant to achieve a well-defined new nose. A typical nose job procedure usually takes between one to two hours to perform. It takes skillful workmanship and technique to achieve a desired result.

It takes precision when making an incision or shaping the nose by removing a hump or improving a nose tip. Your surgeon must not be clumsy in performing rhinoplasty, because a little mistake can have a great impact in the balance of the overall look of the entire face. Remember, that even a little tweak in the nose can result to dramatic changes to your face. So, your surgeon will have to be meticulous in performing the procedure.

Myth 2: It Is Extremely Painful.

Most rhinoplasty surgery will be performed under general anesthesia. This means that you will be asleep for the entire duration of the procedure. After the procedure and when the anesthesia has subsided, you may feel a slight pain. This can, however, be remedied by taking pain relievers as prescribed by your surgeon. This minor discomfort may last between 7 to 10 days.

Image Source: Eve's Herbs

Also, your nose will be covered by a cast or splint to ensure the speedy recovery and to prevent it from getting hit or injured during the healing process. Your nose may also feel stuffy, but this will go down in a few days. Compared to other cosmetic procedures, the pain you will experience with rhinoplasty is fairly minimal.

Myth 3: It Takes A Long Downtime.

One concern of most people who are considering about getting the procedure done is that rhinoplasty requires a long downtime. This is a concern that is particularly common to those who are working. The minor swelling or bruising, if any, usually subsides between 5 to 7 days after the procedure has been done. Also, once the cast or splint has been removed after a week, the patient can return to work and perform normal day-to-day activities. However, strenuous activities like playing sports or going back to the gym should be avoided until after at least a month from the day of surgery.

Myth 4: My Nose Will Look Fake.

A lot of people have this great fear that getting a nose job done will result to a look that is fake. This is where getting the services of a professional and qualified plastic surgeon, who specializes in rhinoplasty, is crucial. This is where his masterful skills come into play in creating a natural-looking result to your new nose. An excellent surgeon should know how to strike the balance of your nose with the rest of your face so that the end-result does not look fake.

Image Source: Flickr

Myth 5: I Can Choose Any Nose I Want.

This is one of the biggest myths about rhinoplasty. You certainly cannot have the exact same nose as that of your favorite celebrity. While this may be possible, however, this is exactly the very reason why Myth 4 can come into fruition. Each nose is unique to the face of each and every individual and putting someone else’s nose shape can alter your appearance, not in a good way.

You can always bring a picture of your favorite celebrity only as a reference. Openly discuss what you want, but you should also be open to the recommendations that will be discussed with you by your surgeon during your confidential consultation. Your surgeon will always take into consideration your facial features that will enhance and highlight your overall appearance with a new nose. Remember, that the best rhinoplasty is achieved when it is tailor fit to bring out your unique features.

Myth 6: I Will Have Breathing Problems After Having The Procedure Done.

A great plastic surgeon will know how to carry out a rhinoplasty procedure without affecting the patient’s breathing at all. Good training will allow him to improve the shape and size of your nose aesthetically, while respecting your nose’s anatomy and functionality at the same time.

Myth 7: It Is a Female Procedure.

While majority of the rhinoplasty patients are women, out of the total 242, 684 nose job cases in 2012, 25% of those were performed on men. In fact, rhinoplasty is the number one surgical cosmetic procedure among men. It is worthy to mention that it takes a plastic surgeon with specialized skills to perform male rhinoplasty, as the male nose greatly differs from that of women and requires a different technique to ensure a new nose result that is masculine.

Myth 8: It Cannot Be Covered By My Insurance.

In general, insurance companies do not cover surgical cosmetic procedures. However, this is not the case with rhinoplasty when it involves a functional improvement. Some insurance companies may cover nose jobs that are performed because of a breathing problem from a deviated septum.

Myth 9: It Is Expensive.

Rhinoplasty in Australia typically costs between $8,000 to $12,000. This cost may not fit in the budget of an average full-time working individual, but there are always financing options available that make the rhinoplasty accessible and affordable. There are medical cards that are increasing in trend, which provides affordable installment plan payments with reasonable interest rates for surgical cosmetic procedures, like rhinoplasty. Other options include bank loans, credit cards and personal loans with friends or family. Also, a lot of clinics offer in-house financing with reasonable terms for patients who may not be able to secure loans to fund their nose jobs. You can always discuss this with your surgeon, they would be glad to provide you with options for it.

Image Source: www.abc.net.au

Myth 10: Anyone Can Perform Rhinoplasty.

If you want to achieve the best and desired results, you should only approach a plastic surgeon who has the proper skills to perform a rhinoplasty. You should always choose a board-certified surgeon who underwent the necessary training. It is also best to seek out a surgeon who has had extensive experience in performing rhinoplasty.

During your consultation, ask for the surgeon’s portfolio of the patients he has handled. This is one of the best ways to know and see for yourself the extent of quality work he can do for your nose. If you happen to know anyone who has had the procedure with the doctor you are considering, ask him or her of their experience. This is a great way to know if you have approached the right surgeon in giving you a new nose. You would not want to get a rhinoplasty done and have a secondary procedure done because you are not happy with the results, right?

When you look at it closely, the best way to debunk all these nose job myths is to trust your new nose with a plastic surgeon that is well-trained and experienced to ensure that you will not encounter any problems with the procedure. If you are in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney, Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim of the Advance Cosmetic Beauty Surgery will be glad to shed light on other rhinoplasty faqs that may still be lingering in your mind.